Australia-Malaysia Institute
Sister School Program
The AMI is helping to build long-term reciprocal links between Australian and Malaysian schools and a network of students closely connected to both countries. The Australia-Malaysia Sister School program was announced by former Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP during his visit to Malaysia in 2008. The program develops mutual understanding and people-to-people links between year 9 and 10 students in Australia and Malaysia.
Sister schools partnerships are funded by the Australia-Malaysia Institute and supported by the Victoria Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) and the Malaysian Ministry of Education (MoE).
From the initial six high schools in Malaysia that were linked to six Victorian schools the program has expanded to 26 sister school linkages between Victorian and Malaysian schools.
Sister Schools' relationships are maintained through visits to Malaysia and Australia and online collaboration.
List of Australia-Malaysia Sister Schools
Victorian School
- Western Port Secondary College, Hastings
- Wallan Secondary College, Wallan
- Benalla Secondary College, Benalla
- Rosebud Secondary College, Rosebud
- Fountain Gate Secondary College, Fountain Gate
- Lalor Secondary College, Lalor
- Tallangatta Secondary College
- Maffra Secondary College
- Cobden Technical college
- Maribyrnong Secondary college
- Leongatha Secondary College
- Elthan High School
- Ashwood Secondary College
Malaysian School
- SMK Aminuddin Baki, JLN Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur.
- SMK Agama Sheikh Abdul Malek, JLN Budiman Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu
- SMK Derma, JLN Penjara, Kangar, Perlis
- SMK Gunung Rapat, Ipoh Perak.
- SMK USJ4, Subang Jaya, Selangor
- SMK Sains Kuching, Sarawak
- SMK Datuk Peter Mojuntin, Sabah
- Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar, Johar
- Sekolah Menengah Teknik Alor Setar, Kedah
- Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur
- SMK King George V, Negeri Sembilan
- SMK Tinggi Melaka
- SM Agama Persikutan Kajang, Selangor
Australian Teachers Study Tour of Malaysia
The AMI continued to support sister school linkages between Australian and Malaysian schools by funding a study tour of 12 selected Australian principals and teachers to develop their knowledge and understanding of Malaysia's education system. The group visited a number of Malaysian schools to pursue opportunities for developing school partnerships. Briefings were held with the Malaysian Ministry of Education and Australia Education International. The group also visited a leading teachers training institute to learn about Malaysia's pre-service teacher education.
The study tour visited Kuala Lumpur, Malacca and Sarawak enabling participants to experience both rural and urban Malaysia. The time in Sarawak focused on environment and sustainability issues, both key elements of the new Australian curriculum.
Student Leaders Conference in association with the Malaysia-Victoria Sister Schools Program
The AMI, in partnership with the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development funded a delegation of students and teachers from Victorian Sister Schools. Maffra Secondary College, Wallan Secondary College, Lalor Secondary College, Rosebud Secondary College and Fountain Gate Secondary College attended the Johore International Student Leaders Conference, 23 -24 March 2011, in Johore Bahru, Malaysia.
The topic of the conference, 'Student leaders in the face of global diversity', focused on youth leadership in an increasingly globalised world and encouraged student leaders from schools throughout Asia and beyond to meet and exchange ideas, views, initiatives, and visions on an international platform and engage in a cross-cultural learning environment.
The conference provided an opportunity for the student delegates to celebrate their diversity, as well as providing an opportunity for the host state of Johore to introduce its people, food, history and culture to others.
Australian delegates Ben, Tina, Sarah, Chloe, Hannah, Sam, Hillary, Conor and Rais at the Johore International Student Leaders Conference, 23 -24 March 2011 (Photo courtesy of Department of Education and Early Childhood Development)
Delegates; Sam Montague and Hannah Van Eekelen, Maffra Secondary College; Constantina Rigapoulos and Hillary Monteleone, Lalor Secondary College; Chloe Faulmann and Conor Lacey, Wallan Secondary College; Ben Hill, Fountain Gate Secondary College; Sarah Hill, Rosebud Secondary College; Rais Muhammad Rashdan, Minaret College, Springvale
Talkback Classroom Australia Malaysia forum
Talkback Classroom brought together young people in Australia and Asia via social networking platforms and face to face dialogues to promote Asian Literacy in Australia. These forums promoted discussion of issues from a youth perspective.
The Australia Malaysia forum commenced in 2010 when two Victorian students, Emily Deague-Hill and Devinia Sunshine Owen Devan, travelled to Malaysia to work with Malaysian secondary school students to investigate the theme of Education in the 21st Century. The Australian phase of the project was completed in March 2011 when Emily and Devinia together with Nabihah Rosli from SMI Sik (North Malaysia) undertook a week long visit to schools to talk with students on the theme of Asia Literacy. They also met with education leaders in Victoria and Canberra for a segment shown on community TV Channel 31 and the ABC.
The Australia Malaysia forum was sponsored by the Australia-Malaysia Institute, The Asia Education Foundation and Australian Education International.
