HONG KONG, March 17 -- The Education Bureau of the Hong Kong government and the Ministry of Education of the Malaysian government Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on education co-operation to reinforce the linkages between the two places, the Hong Kong government said.

The MOU was signed by Hong Kong's Secretary for Education Eddie Ng Hak-kim and Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of Education of Malaysia YAB Tan Sri Dato' Haji Muhyiddin Haji Mohd Yassin.

"The MOU marks an important milestone in the partnership between Hong Kong and Malaysia in the field of education. With continuous support from the governments and educational sectors of both places, I have confidence that this arrangement with our Malaysian counterparts will help us co-operate on educational exchanges more effectively," Ng said at the signing ceremony in Hong Kong.

Among other objectives, both parties agree to strive for excellence and creativity in teaching, learning and research, and to contribute to professional development in the education sector.

"The signing of today's MOU with the Ministry of Education is a demonstration of our commitment to enhancing the internationalization of education and lifelong learning," Ng said.

Ng first met the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister at the Education World Forum in the United Kingdom in January last year. Further exchanges on education issues of mutual concern were made during Ng's duty visit to Malaysia in January this year. Based on these in-depth and fruitful exchanges, the MOU was signed during the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister's reciprocal visit to Hong Kong.

The MOU provides a framework to facilitate strategic collaborations between the educational communities of Malaysia and Hong Kong. Initiatives include the exchange of students, scholars and academic staff, knowledge exchange in areas of mutual interest, and the development of joint programs.