IPOH: Efforts are underway to bring home Malaysian lecturers that are currently teaching abroad so they can contribute to the nation’s educational institutions.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said a series of engagement sessions have been held with these lecturers to facilitate their return.
"Some of them are on sabbatical, while others, after completing their studies in countries like Japan, have stayed on and taken up teaching positions there,” he said at a press conference after the project handover ceremony for the Ungku Omar Polytechnic (PUO) Bercham campus here on Saturday (Jan 11).
He added that these lecturers were sought after by universities, polytechnics and institutions abroad due to their knowledge and capabilities.
"Some of these lecturers may move to a university or a country for a specific period. Firstly, we will facilitate their return.
"Secondly, we have introduced the Research Mobility programme which allows researchers and academics to move between countries, enabling the knowledge they acquire abroad to be shared in other places, including Malaysia.
"This means that these experts can transition seamlessly between Malaysia and other countries, such as Germany, contributing their expertise both abroad and locally.
"The skills of Malaysian scholars abroad can also benefit our nation through their contributions," he added.
Zambry said he had been meeting the lecturers when he was in the Foreign Ministry.
"They’ve shown great interest as I interact with them and I have also interacted with young lecturers at universities and polytechnics to listen to their perspectives," he added.
On the PUO Bercham campus, Zambry said its construction began in 2018 and was completed on Dec 28 last year.
He said it can accommodate about 1,200 students, marking PUO as one of the largest polytechnics in the country.
The five diploma programmes available at the branch are accounting, business studies, finance, Islamic finance and retail management.
