ISLAMABAD: The High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan, Ambassador Dato’ Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, engaged in an academic dialogue session with students at Bahria University, located in the federal capital, Islamabad.
Upon arrival, he was warmly welcomed by the Rector of Bahria University, Vice Admiral (R) Asif Khaliq. The event was attended by academicians, staff, and approximately 100 students specializing in media and international relations.
Ambassador Dato’ Azhar provided an overview of Malaysia’s journey from independence to modern times, highlighting the robust bilateral relations between Malaysia and Pakistan. He emphasized key areas such as trade, economic cooperation, tourism, and the significance of people-to-people connections in fostering mutual growth and understanding.
He also discussed various aspects of Malaysia’s foreign policies, particularly its role within ASEAN and its commitment to regional stability and development.
Ambassador Dato’ Azhar also elaborated on the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP), which plays a vital role in capacity-building and development cooperation between Malaysia and Pakistan.
A substantial part of the session focused on promoting educational opportunities in Malaysia for Pakistani students. Ambassador Dato’ Azhar underscored Malaysia’s conducive environment for students, boasting modern facilities and globally recognized education standards in a Muslim-friendly setting.
He mentioned the increasing number of Pakistani students, nearly 5,000 as of May 2024, pursuing studies in various Malaysian higher education institutions.
The session concluded with an interactive Question-and-Answer segment, allowing students to directly engage with the High Commissioner. Topics included prospects for employment in Malaysia post-graduation and the future trajectory of Malaysia-Pakistan bilateral relations.
The event was part of the ongoing efforts of the Malaysian High Commission in Islamabad to bolster bilateral ties through educational and cultural exchanges within Pakistan’s higher education institutions, facilitating people-to-people contact between Malaysia and Pakistan.
