Fulbright ETA programme extended another three years

Malaysia and the United States (US) have agreed to extend the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Programme for another three years in a move to further enhance people-to-people interaction.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and US President Barack Obama said this in a joint statement issued Sunday after a bilateral meeting at Seri Perdana in conjunction with Obama's three-day state visit to Malaysia starting Saturday.

The Fulbright ETA programme, which started in Malaysia in 2005, has become a federal programme funded by the US and Malaysian governments following a meeting between Obama and Najib in 2010.

"Likening the spirit of the Fullbright ETA programme to the Peace Corps programme which ran for two decades in Malaysia, Prime Minister Najib and President Obama announced that the governments of Malaysia and the United States have extended the Fullbright ETA Programme for another three years," stated the statement.

It also said, recognising people-to-people relations as the foundation of strong bilateral ties, the two leaders affirmed their shared intention to foster better understanding, goodwill and friendship between the peoples of both countries.

Both leaders acknowledged that university level linkages between US and Malaysia continue to grow, and encouraged the expansion of research and study partnerships between institutions of higher education of both countries.

Najib and Obama also emphasised the importance of youth empowerment, particularly in promoting entrepreneurship, environmental protection, education, and civic participation in Malaysia and across the region.

"Including through such programmes as the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (MaGiC) and activities under the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI)," the statement said.

Both leaders also recognised the value of sharing the rich cultural heritages of Malaysia and US through exchanges of displays in art galleries and museums in both countries.

They also welcomed the establishment of the Malaysia-America Foundation and the exploring of opportunities to establish sister city relationships between the two sides.