Celebrating 75 years of education and cultural exchange between US and Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: On Tuesday 7 December 2021, Minister of Higher Education YB Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini Ahmad and U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia, Brian D. McFeeters jointly launched The Bridge: Fulbright@75, an event commemorating the 75th anniversary of Fulbright, the U.S. government’s flagship program for education and cultural exchange.

Organized by the Malaysian-American Commission on Education Exchange (MACEE), The Bridge: Fulbright@75 celebrated the history and impact of Fulbright in Malaysia with alumni as speakers at various panels and breakout sessions. The Bridge highlighted Fulbright alumni contributions in education, technology, public health, and the arts. The event also showcased the experiences of alumni who completed the program during the pandemic, and highlighted how Fulbright shapes effective global leaders.

Fulbright was established in 1946 to increase mutual understanding and support friendly and peaceful relations between the U.S. and other countries. Since its inception in Malaysia in 1963, more than 2200 Malaysians and Americans have participated in Fulbright scholarship programs to pursue higher education, research and professional development opportunities. To date, over 400,000 people – students, recent graduates, artists, researchers, and professionals—have benefited from Fulbright worldwide and contribute to finding solutions to complex global challenges.

MACEE Executive Director, Curtis Johnson said, “The relationship between the United States and Malaysia is strong. MACEE’s Fulbright program serves as just one of the bridges between these great nations. The Bridge: Fulbright @ 75 not only represents MACEE’s dedication to sustaining that relationship but also to serving as a bridge to the future of international education and exchange.”

Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini Ahmad said, “We in Malaysia are proud to be part of the global Fulbright community. Some of the significant impacts of the Fulbright programs include: An increased growth in bilateral collaborations among higher education institutions, international mobility, and knowledge exchanges. To intensify these achievements, I believe the continuous commitment of both countries is crucial in widening and deepening partnerships, enhancing and consolidating the process towards the development of the higher education system, and eventually increasing our global visibility.”

Ambassador McFeeters added, “Over these 75 years, we’ve seen Fulbright lead to incredible collaborative research, institutional partnerships, personal connections, and lifelong friendships. The incredible results of putting promising, motivated, and committed Malaysians and Americans together in the same room cannot be understated.”

Education and cultural exchanges are vital tools to strengthen people-to-people connections and advance shared priorities between the U.S. and Malaysia. U.S. Embassy KL is committed to partnering with the Malaysian government through MACEE to continue harnessing the power of education exchanges and celebrating its successes for another 75 years.

Further enquiries on Fulbright and other education exchanges MACEE manages can be made via email to the Fulbright Malaysia team at fulbrightmalaysia@macee.org.my.