June 21, 2008 13:55 PM

Malaysia Keen On Thailand's Vocational Schools For Agriculture, Tourism

By D. Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, June 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is keen to emulate Thailand's vocational schools for agriculture and tourism, which have their own research and development facilities, Director-General of Education Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said.

Alimuddin said he was impressed with the Bangsai College in Ayuthaya, a vocational school that specialises in agricultural studies.

The school is also self-sufficient as it also sells products grown in the facility at supermarkets and night markets.

"They have their own R&D centre, with research on hydroponic systems and others.

"We do have agricultural studies in schools but at a smaller scale... maybe we can implement similar concept in Malaysia and this is also in line with the government's move to enhance the agriculture sector," he said here.

Alimuddin and Education Ministry Secretary-General Tan Sri Zulkurnain Awang attended a joint Malaysia-Thailand working group on education cooperation, which was held here where both parties discussed a five-year Malaysia-Thailand education cooperation action plan.

He said Thailand also had a specialised vocational school in Kanchanaburi, about two hours from Bangkok where students were taught about the tourism sector.

"We will send our teachers under an exchange programme to learn more from the Thai educators about these two fields," he said.

Alimuddin said Malaysia was also keen to have exchange programme with Thailand in the special education fields related to disabled, deaf and blind children.

"They have several colleges that look after students with such disabilities. Their curriculum and teaching methods are very impressive," he said.

During his visit here, Alimuddin also visited the Sri Sangwan school for the disabled, a school for the deaf in Nakhon Panthan and the Ratchasuda College for the blind and deaf.

On the meeting, he said the Thai officials welcomed the five-year plan put forward by Malaysia, especially related to the Islamic education in southern Thailand and were keen to learn more about religious schools from their neighbour.

Malaysia has offered to take in another 60 Thai students to study in boarding schools and train more Islamic religious teachers as part of the collaboration with the Thai Government to enhance education in the restive southern provinces.

-- BERNAMA