FULBRIGHT ETA PROGRAMME FOSTERS FUTURE US-MALAYSIA DIPLOMATIC CHAMPIONS - AMBASSADOR

KOTA KINABALU, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- The United States (US) is open to restarting the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) programme in Malaysia if the government desires it, viewing the initiative as a vital tool not just for language but fostering long-term diplomatic champions among the youth of both nations.

US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan said the programme, which ran from 2011 until the COVID-19 pandemic halted operations, went far beyond merely teaching English and that it played a unique role in building deep people-to-people connections by placing young Americans directly into Malaysian communities.

He emphasised that the bilateral relationship requires individuals from both nations who act as champions to actively support and strengthen the bond between the two countries.

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"And I think that in the same way the Peace Corps volunteers in the 60s and early 70s ended up being champions for the US-Malaysia relationship for decades afterwards, I think that the English teaching assistants do the same thing," he said during a meet and greet session with local media here today.

He noted that the programme had previously brought around 1,000 young Americans to Malaysia, many of whom lived in villages and rural areas, while immersing themselves fully in local culture.

"They (young Americans) are complaining about why can't I get nasi lemak in the United States ? And so I think that was really good. And I would love to see that get started again," he added.

Kagan emphasised that the impact was mutual, as local communities were often surprised to find that Americans in the flesh were different than what they expected from television and movies, helping to bridge cultural gaps effectively.

Moving to future collaborations, Kagan said 2026 would be a significant year as the US celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence, branded as "Freedom 250", with Sabah set to be part of the festivities.

"We are planning on doing roadshows that will bring a number of things that will celebrate this. And we're planning on coming to Sabah...that will definitely be in KK (Kota Kinabalu) and Sabah," he said.

Kagan also confirmed that the US’ Pacific Partnership exercise, a major humanitarian and disaster relief preparedness mission, is scheduled to return to Malaysia especially Sabah this year, which was last held in Kuantan, Pahang back in 2023.

"They'll be in Sabah this year. I think we're looking forward to seeing more... I expect that there will be a pretty busy schedule of visits and exchanges to Sabah," he said, noting that the US and Malaysia conduct about 14 major military exercises annually, some of which rotate to the state.

Touching on economic ties, Kagan praised the growing US corporate footprint in the state, citing energy giant ConocoPhillips as a prime example of high-quality investment that benefits the local ecosystem.

He said the company’s decision to invest significantly in Sabah was driven by the state's human capital, rule of law, and political stability, rather than just the presence of natural resources.

"They've put a lot of money on the table here and they're employing a lot of people. They will employ more as they step up their operations. And I think that that creates a huge opportunity for Sabahans," he said.

Kagan also highlighted the company's role as a good corporate citizen, noting its recent contributions to a local children's hospital and support for the American Corner in Sabah.

-- BERNAMA