Milestone Achievement In Ukraine-M'sia Education Cooperation - Envoy

by Azzah Mohamad KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 (Bernama) -- Ukraine and Malaysia marked the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations over the weekend, during which time both countries have seen bilateral ties increase politically, economically and also in the education sector. One of the most significant recent developments was in the education sector, described by Ukraine ambassador to Malaysia Ihor V Hummenyi, as a "milestone achievement." He announced that Lincoln University College, Malaysia had concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three prominent universities in Ukraine to operate three Off-Shore Campus Medical Degree Programmes to award local students with the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. This was a milestone achievement for Ukrainians and Malaysians, said the envoy, as the MoU was sealed due to the cooperation of the Ukraine embassy here and the Government of Malaysia, particularly the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), Malaysian Qualification Agency and the Ministry of Higher Education. Hummenyi explained the programme during an interview with Bernama in conjunction with the celebration of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Malaysia. The six-year medical course will be conducted in English, however, students will be taught the local language to enable them to communicate with patients and for everyday use, he said. Lincoln University College's Off Shore Campuses hold classes at Ternopil State Medical University, Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University and Danylo Halytsky Lviv State Medical University, which are among the oldest and most distinguished universities in Ukraine. Hummenyi said, in general, the number of students studying in Ukraine is increasing, noting that information on educational prospects in Ukraine, spread by the media, was allowing students to become more aware of educational opportunities in the European country of 46 million people. Besides Malaysia, students from other Southeast Asian countries are also making inroads in Ukraine, including from Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar, although the number of students remains small, the ambassador said. On the economic front, bilateral trade is growing annually and Ukraine is also trying to enhance relations with countries that have large economies, the envoy said. According to the embassy, trade between Ukraine and Malaysia has grown "nine times" since diplomatic relations between the two countries began on March 3, 1992. However, the envoy was still not satisfied with the involvement of "small businesses." Although Ukraine is a major importer of Malaysia's palm oil and its exports to Malaysia included steel and chemicals, he felt that this was not enough, he said. "There should be more interaction and involvement with small businesses," Hummenyi said. Despite positive developments between the two countries, the ambassador, who has been here for one year and five months, said he is not the kind of person to rest on one's laurels. He hopes to do more to bring the two countries, which are similar in so many ways, closer. Like Malaysia, Ukraine is also a multiracial country with more than 130 nationalities and ethnic groups with different cultural and religious backgrounds, but living together in harmony. Some 40 ethnic groups that traditionally practice Islam also call Ukraine home. The leading Islamic ethnic group is the Crimean Tatars. "In general, there is a lot of work which is necessary to further enhance bilateral relations," he said. Ukraine celebrated its 20th year of independence last year, having gained its independence from the Soviet Union on Aug 24, 1991. Malaysia was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with this "young" nation which, together with Poland, will host the final rounds of the 2012 European Football Championship (EURO 2012) from June 8 to July 1. -- BERNAMA