Vietnamese Language Offered as Optional Subject at Malaysian University
The Universiti Malaya (UM), one of Malaysia’s top public universities, has introduced Vietnamese language and culture as an optional subject.
According to Prof. Surinderpal Kaur, Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics (FLL), around 100-140 students are currently enrolled in Vietnamese language and culture courses. These students come from diverse backgrounds, including Malaysia, China, India, and Indonesia. The FLL’s undergraduate program offers courses in nine languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, and Tamil.
Initially established as a Language Centre in 1972, the FLL was responsible for conducting language courses to meet the university’s needs. Vietnamese language courses were offered from the faculty’s inception until 2017, when its sole Vietnamese lecturer retired. In 2023, the courses were resumed with the employment of Vietnamese Master of Linguistics Nguyen Thuy Thien Huong, who has inspired both staff and students to learn more about Vietnam.
Prof. Surinderpal mentioned that the faculty is collaborating with the Malaysia-Vietnam Friendship Association on student exchange programs, aiming to develop a dedicated program focused on cooperation between the two countries. The FLL also plans to create a comprehensive Vietnamese language curriculum, ranging from primary to advanced levels, and to organize activities promoting Vietnamese culture, such as cooking classes, traditional music classes, tours, and movie screenings.
During the celebration of the FLL’s 52nd founding anniversary on June 13, Vietnamese coffee and traditional dishes like spring rolls and banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich filled with pâté, cold meats, and vegetables) were showcased, drawing many visitors to the Vietnam booth.
