London: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has indicated that recent policy changes in the United States, particularly in the education sector, present new opportunities for Malaysia to explore educational prospects in other countries.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, emphasized the potential benefits of pursuing educational cooperation with the United Kingdom. He noted that the UK has a longstanding relationship with Malaysia in educational endeavors.

“We know that MARA (Majlis Amanah Rakyat) has decided to stop sending its sponsored students to the US. My approach is this: when there is a threat, there is always an opportunity. We have to look at the other side of the coin,” Ahmad Zahid stated. He suggested that the familiar UK education system could be advantageous.

In his capacity as the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Committee chairman, Ahmad Zahid made these remarks during a press conference following a meeting with the Malaysian delegation. This meeting coincided with his four-day working visit to the UK, which commenced today.

MARA chairman Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki had earlier announced that MARA will cease sending sponsored students to the US due to new policies introduced under President Donald Trump. The Trump administration had previously halted the processing of foreign student visas and considered scrutinizing new applicants based on social media activity.

Ahmad Zahid also expressed his intention to use this visit to enhance cooperation in TVET, especially focusing on areas like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, robotics, and green energy in partnership with UK universities.

“There are many new technology sectors, especially in green energy, that have already been implemented here and from which we can learn. We hope programmes like ‘training the trainers’ (ToT), for example, will bear fruit once they have undergone courses here,” he explained.

Ahmad Zahid’s itinerary in the UK includes meetings with representatives from prominent institutions such as University College London, delivering a public lecture on Malaysia’s TVET direction, and engaging with MARA-sponsored students.