MFU Vice President Shares Insights on China–ASEAN Educational Cooperation at International Symposium in Malaysia

On 18 October 2026, Asst. Prof. Dr.Romyen Kosaikanont, Vice President of Mae Fah Luang University (MFU), attended the International Symposium on Chinese Overseas in Southeast Asia and Chinese Modernization from Overseas Perspectives in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

The opening ceremony was presided over by YB Liew Chin Tong, Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister of Finance, Malaysia; Prof. Wu Chaopeng, Vice President of Xiamen University; Mr. Wang Jun, First Secretary at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia, and Mr. Stanley Yong Yew Wei, Board Director of the Malaysia Tan Kah Kee Foundation. 

Organised by the Center for Exchange and Mutual Learning among Civilizations (EMLAC) and College of Foreign Languages and Cultures of Xiamen University in collaboration with partner institutions, the symposium brought together participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Brunei Darussalam. Discussions explored the conceptual and historical dimensions of Chinese Modernization, the development of overseas Chinese communities, transnational Chinese and their roles in transcultural encounters and civilizational mutual learning, the interplay between Chinese modernization and the globalization and localization of education, and emerging opportunities for China – ASEAN relations amid these transformations.

Asst. Prof. Dr.Romyen Kosaikanont was invited to speak at Roundtable Forum III, themed “Chinese Modernization and the Globalization and Localization of Education.” She joined distinguished speakers, including Prof. Dr. Handa S. Abidin, President of President University, Indonesia; Prof. Dr. MOK Soon Chong, President of New Era University College, Malaysia; Prof. Dr. GOH Khang Wen, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement, INTI International University, Malaysia; Prof. Dr. Astrid Kusumowidagdo, Vice President of Ciputra University, Indonesia. The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. SHEN Wei of Zhejiang University and the Center for Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilizations at Xiamen University. 

During the discussion, Asst. Prof. Dr.Romyen highlighted MFU’s longstanding commitment to cooperation with China, emphasising the importance of mutual understanding and shared development opportunities. “Given the university’s location close to China, we need to understand each other, as we share both challenges and opportunities for joint development,” she explained. 

She outlined two phases in MFU’s cooperation with China. The first focused on language and cultural exchange, including welcoming Chinese students and promoting Chinese language education through the Sirindhorn Chinese Language and Culture Centre, the School of Sinology, and the Confucius Institute, which maintains close ties with Xiamen University.

The second phase saw cooperation expand across disciplines, particularly in traditional Chinese medicine, applied digital technology, and medicine. Building on Chinese language education as a foundation, MFU integrates language learning into its broader academic approach, requiring students to take at least two Chinese language courses. The university has also developed an intensive “Plus Chinese” programme to equip graduates with Chinese language skills relevant to their respective fields of study, giving them an additional advantage in their future careers. 

Reflecting on China’s rapid development, Asst. Prof. Dr. Romyen noted that China’s Education Modernisation 2035 roadmap reflects its ambition to become a leading force in developing talent for the future. She also highlighted the importance of educational development amid global competition and initiatives such as the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Development Initiative.

Looking ahead, she called for greater educational exchange and collaboration between China and Southeast Asian countries, stressing the importance of understanding local contexts and regional needs when developing educational initiatives. She also highlighted environmental protection as an area with significant potential for cooperation, noting that China’s experience could offer valuable opportunities for educational institutions to work together in addressing environmental challenges and advancing sustainable development.

She concluded by emphasising that meaningful cooperation begins with a shared vision and a mutual understanding of each partner’s development context, followed by collaborative initiatives and activities designed to turn that vision into reality.

Guided by its vision of being a global partner for well-being and a sustainable future, Mae Fah Luang University remains committed to strengthening collaboration in research, education, academic mobility, and community outreach to build a resilient foundation for long-term China–ASEAN cooperation.