VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte visited Malaysia to strengthen partnerships in education, science, and culture between the Philippines and Malaysia.

“I am grateful to the Honourable Fadhlina Sidek, Malaysia’s Minister of Education, for our productive conversation earlier, on the critical role of education in a nation’s growth, innovation, and a hopeful future. Thank you for reaffirming our partnership and your continued support to SEAMEO [Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation],” Duterte said in her speech during her official visit to the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation’s (SEAMEO) Tropical Medicine and Public Health Network (TROPMED) in Malaysia.

Duterte also said that the Philippines is eager to learn from Malaysia’s successful educational strategies and to forge new areas of cooperation and collaboration.

“We are here to explore the initiatives of the Malaysian Ministry of Education and the SEAMEO Centres, notably SEAMEO RECSAM, SEAMEO SEN, and SEAMEO TROPMED Malaysia. Each center’s contributions to shaping inclusive education and tackling unique country-specific as well as regional challenges are invaluable,” she said.

She also congratulated the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Education in Science and Mathematics for its forward-thinking science and mathematics programs, like the Space Education Hub and the upcoming Makerspace, envisioned to be a hub for creativity and hands-on learning.

“These efforts are vital in nurturing future scientists and critical thinkers. Thank you for your commitment to teaching and learning science and mathematics through practical, experiential education,” she said.

She also thanked SEAMEO Special Education Needs for championing inclusive education, ensuring every child receives quality learning opportunities.

“We always go back to the heart of our vision, which is the learners and all of them. Inclusivity in education is not just a goal but a fundamental right for every child,” Duterte said.

“Thank you for the training courses, research studies, and technical assistance to SEAMEO Member Countries to ensure that every child has access to quality education, regardless of their abilities or challenges. I also look forward to learning more about the Inclusive Open Educational Resources initiatives, which are particularly promising for enhancing disability-inclusive educational resources and materials,” she added.

Duterte also thanked SEAMEO TROPMED Malaysia for providing scholarships and training in Southeast Asia, particularly on Microbiology, Parasitology, and Entomology.

“Your initiatives that weave together education and health are not only timely but essential, addressing the core needs of our society at a moment when the synergy between learning and well-being has never been more pivotal. This approach sets a precedent for how we can build resilient communities prepared to face the challenges of tomorrow,” Duterte said.