British education experts share tips

Tuesday October 2, 2012

Watch video at: http://videos.thestar.com.my/View.aspx?vid=9161&cid=1

KUALA LUMPUR: Green issues in schools and the use of social networking to improve English proficiency are some of the exciting topics at the British Educational Suppliers Asia Forum 2012.

For the second day running today, some of the out-of-the-norm workshops will touch on the use of iPads in teaching Art, Maths, Science and Physical Education.

Workshops on student development such as on education wellness, the best in British anti-bullying practices, and successful sex education will also be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

British Educational Suppliers Association director-general Dominic Savage said he recognised the strong existing education links between Britain and Malaysia.

“We try and bring to this event some new ideas including innovative ways teachers can be supported in offering the best, latest and the most relevant approaches to education for the 21st Century,” he said at a press conference yesterday.

Savage said it was important to use technology in teaching, especially among the young.
British Council director Gavin Anderson said 15,000 Malaysians were currently studying in Britain while 58,000 students in Malaysia had access to education there.

He also said the National Education Blueprint (2013-2025) had done a good job in analysing some of the challenges that still exist in Malaysian education.

In his speech, British High Commissioner Simon Featherstone said Britain aimed to double trade with Indonesia and Malaysia in the next five years from the current £6bil (RM29.7bil) in goods and services.

On Featherstone's announcement on Friday that Malaysians no longer needed to show documentary proof of financial maintenance when applying for a student visa to Britain beginning yesterday, Deputy Science, Tech-nology and Innovation Minister Fadillah Yusof said he welcomed the move.

“This is based on the existing strong ties between Britain and Malaysia. This is where they have accommodated us by giving us some incentives and reducing red tape, which is sometimes troublesome especially for those who are not funded by the Government or banks,” he said.

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/10/2/nation/12109596&sec=nation