Jinan Preschool Teachers College and INTI College Sabah Partner to Launch Early Childhood Education Program in Malaysia
On 18 June 2025, INTI College Sabah, incollaboration with Jinan Preschool Teachers College from China and AsiaInternational Higher Education Management Co., Ltd. (AIHE), officially signed astrategic agreement to establish a Malaysian teaching centre for EarlyChildhood Education and Infant Care Services. Coordinated by the Belt and RoadHigher Education Association of Sabah, this initiative aims to introduceChina's vocational teacher education standards into the ASEAN region, marking asignificant step toward internationalization of early childhood education. The collaboration involves the jointdevelopment of a curriculum incorporating 12 core courses from Jinan PreschoolTeachers 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-siteteaching. The program also includes the construction of a fully equipped infantcare 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 100Chinese-language kindergartens. Li Haiping, Party Secretary of JinanPreschool Teachers College, emphasized that the program is designed to alignwith China’s “Double High Plan” while addressing the specific needs of Sabah. Thegoal is to cultivate early childhoodprofessionals who are proficient in Chinese, skilled in practical teaching, andculturally adaptable. The Belt and Road Higher Education Association of Sabah alsopledged support its support by promoting policy alignment with Malaysia’sMinistry of Education, coordinating internship placements through the MalaysianEarly Childhood Education Association, and establishing a dedicated fund todevelop localized teaching materials. This strategic partnership unites thestrengths of all three institutions: Jinan Preschool Teachers College, aleading authority in early childhood education in China; INTI College Sabah, akey vocational institution under AIHE; and the Belt and Road Higher EducationAssociation, a driving force in cross-border educational cooperation. Together,they aim to position Sabah as a central hub for international early childhoodeducation in the ASEAN region.
2025-07-18