US envoy praises M’sia’s commitment to education

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Mills (second right) sharing a light moment with the VIP guests in one of the classrooms. — Photos by Wilfred Pilo

Dr Billing-Yun (second left) tries on a traditionally-woven Iban shawl as Yun (second right) and others look on.

Yun (left) being briefed by Mills (on his left) in a classroom.

KUCHING: US Ambassador to Malaysia Joseph Y Yun is full of praise for Malaysia’s commitment to ensure that its people get good education.

Speaking during his visit to SMK Bandar Semariang here yesterday, he said the US and Malaysia had one thing in common – both are aware of the importance of education.

“I salute those Malaysians who spent their life time ensuring that young people in this country are educated,” he said before taking a peep at a class being taught by a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA).

Yun, who was on his second visit to Sarawak, was accompanied by his wife Dr Melanie Billing-Yun, US Embassy (Kuala Lumpur) Environment, Science, Technology and Health officer Brock Fox, state Education director Datu Abdillah Adam and SMK Bandar Semariang principal Abang Othman Abang Masagus.

Yun said there were 100 ETA in Malaysia, including 10 in Sarawak.

“Coming to the school here is very special for us as it is the first school in Kuching that had just started to use Fulbright ETA.”

He said the ETA idea came about some four years ago when Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak met US President Barack Obama in New York.

He added that the prime minister made a strong point of how successful the Peace Corp Volunteers were when they came to Malaysia some 30 to 40 years ago.

“I hope it (ETA) programme can be expanded further as it will benefit the students. It will also benefit young Americans who live here, and for them to have a better understanding of Malaysia,” said Yun.

He hoped the US and Malaysia would continue to enhance their ties so that together they could built a better world and region that is more secure and prosperous.

Yun later met ETA Alexandra Mills in her class and spent about 15 minutes interacting with her students in a question-and-answer session before proceeding to see other activities in the school.

Abang Othman said the ambassador’s visit was historic and that the school felt proud and honoured.

“As we were picked for the ETA programme, we (school) promised to work wholeheartedly. My priority is to ensure that my English teachers work closely with the ETA staff to realise the great impact of these programme on our students.”