Jinan Preschool Teachers College and INTI College Sabah Partner to Launch Early Childhood Education Program in Malaysia

On 18 June 2025, INTI College Sabah, in collaboration with Jinan Preschool Teachers College from China and Asia International Higher Education Management Co., Ltd. (AIHE), officially signed a strategic agreement to establish a Malaysian teaching centre for Early Childhood Education and Infant Care Services. Coordinated by the Belt and Road Higher Education Association of Sabah, this initiative aims to introduce China's vocational teacher education standards into the ASEAN region, marking a significant step toward internationalization of early childhood education.

The collaboration involves the joint development of a curriculum incorporating 12 core courses from Jinan Preschool Teachers College, enhanced by a specialized unit on “Multicultural Education.” A key feature of the partnership is the annual exchange of faculty members, with Jinan dispatching experienced lecturers to INTI Sabah to lead on-site teaching. The program also includes the construction of a fully equipped infant care training laboratory on the INTI campus to support hands-on learning. Student recruitment will target on Malaysia and neighbouring ASEAN countries, with internship placements coordinated through a network of more than 100 Chinese-language kindergartens.

Li Haiping, Party Secretary of Jinan Preschool Teachers College, emphasized that the program is designed to align with China’s “Double High Plan” while addressing the specific needs of Sabah. The goal is to   cultivate early childhood professionals who are proficient in Chinese, skilled in practical teaching, and culturally adaptable. The Belt and Road Higher Education Association of Sabah also pledged support its support by promoting policy alignment with Malaysia’s Ministry of Education, coordinating internship placements through the Malaysian Early Childhood Education Association, and establishing a dedicated fund to develop localized teaching materials.

This strategic partnership unites the strengths of all three institutions: Jinan Preschool Teachers College, a leading authority in early childhood education in China; INTI College Sabah, a key vocational institution under AIHE; and the Belt and Road Higher Education Association, a driving force in cross-border educational cooperation. Together, they aim to position Sabah as a central hub for international early childhood education in the ASEAN region.