08/07/2025

TUESDAY | JULY 8, 2025

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First astronomy module launched for visually impaired students

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

physical limitations. “With this module, students who are blind or visually impaired now have the chance to explore astronomy. I believe it will make a real difference. We also hope to see similar initiatives extended to students with other disabilities, such as hearing impairments.” Chang stressed the importance of ensuring equal access to learning across all fields, not just astronomy. “This is in line with Mosti’s mission to widen support for children with disabilities,” he added. The initiative also reflects the Madani government’s commitment to equitable education for all, including children with special needs, starting from early childhood. The module, which incorporates adaptive teaching methods, will be integrated into primary level science education. The ministry confirmed that it will be distributed to 12 selected schools nationwide that cater to visually impaired students. It will also feature outreach efforts under the Inclusive Astronomy Transit Programme, targeting schools involved in Special Education Integration and Inclusive Education programmes. In addition, the module will be shared internationally with member countries of the International Astronomical Union via its Working Group on Inclusive Outreach.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia now has its first Astronomy Module for Students with Visual Impairments, marking a milestone in inclusive education. The module was launched yesterday by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister (Mosti) Chang Lih Kang at the National Planetarium. Specifically tailored for students under the Special Education Needs programme, it was developed through a partnership between the government, corporate stakeholders and academic institutions. It forms part of the Space Insight #PlanetariumGoldenHeart initiative, which aims to increase the involvement of persons with disabilities in space science under the broader science, technology and innovation framework. “I personally see this as a very commendable initiative. We hope to see more efforts like this to support children with physical disabilities, who may not enjoy the same opportunities as others in their pursuit of knowledge, especially in astronomy,” Chang said. He noted that the module would have a meaningful impact on the education system by ensuring no student is left behind, regardless of

Chang said the module would have a meaningful impact on the education system by ensuring no student is left behind, regardless of physical limitations. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

Anwar, Modi discuss trade boost and IIT campus plan o Leaders explore deeper ties in tech, defence and education on sidelines of summit

Malaysia backs BRICS call for ethical AI governance RIO DE JANEIRO: Malaysia has welcomed the BRICS Statement on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance, voicing strong support for a vision of AI that prioritises development over domination, embeds ethics, reduces inequality and respects human dignity. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia’s efforts, including the National Artificial Intelligence Roadmap and AI Governance Guidelines, reflect similar principles. “As Asean Chair, Malaysia is championing the establishment of an Asean AI Safety Network, a regional initiative to strengthen governance and capacity in this fast-moving domain,”he said during the Member State Intervention at the BRICS Leaders’ Summit yesterday. Anwar highlighted the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement as a vital platform. “With the right investment and standards, Asean’s digital economy could reach US$2 trillion by 2030. This is an opportunity we cannot afford to squander,”he said. Underscoring Malaysia’s commitment to inclusive growth, Anwar said the future will be shaped by collective resolve, Bernama reported. “Malaysia stands ready to work with BRICS and other partners for a fairer global economy, a more coherent digital future and a multilateralism that delivers.” He also reiterated Malaysia’s position on multilateralism as vital for global stability, shared prosperity and sovereign dignity. “For multilateralism to endure, it must do more than express common values. It must deliver tangible outcomes and respond to the realities of a world where markets are fragmenting faster than rules can adapt.” Anwar welcomed BRICS’ commitment to an inclusive, rules-based trading system. He added that Malaysia’s 2025 Asean Chairmanship theme, “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” aligns closely with these priorities. The BRICS group, which serves as a political and diplomatic coordination forum for countries of the Global South with collaboration across diverse sectors, was initially established by Brazil, Russia, India and China. It later expanded to include South Africa in 2011, followed by Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in 2023, and Indonesia in 2024. Malaysia, along with Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Nigeria, Thailand, Vietnam, Uganda and Uzbekistan, was accepted as a BRICS partner country.

RIO DE JANEIRO: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, held on the sidelines of the 17th BRICS Summit in Brazil on Sunday, focused on trade and investment opportunities as well as the proposed establishment of an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in Malaysia. “We discussed the significant potential for expanding strategic cooperation between Malaysia and India in various fields, including trade, investment, digital technology and defence,” Anwar said in a statement following their meeting. He also welcomed the interest shown by Indian companies in investing in future oriented sectors in Malaysia, such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and the aerospace industry. “We are also committed to further strengthening people-to-people relations through cooperation in culture, tourism and education, which includes the proposal to set up an IIT campus in Malaysia,” he added. The IITs are a group of premier engineering and technology institutions in India. Both leaders also emphasised the importance of ensuring regional peace and stability, and expressed support for just and peaceful resolutions to international issues,

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Malaysia as vital to India, holding a key place in his country’s Vision Mahasagar and Act East Policy. In a post on his personal X account @narendramodi, Modi said he met Anwar on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Brazil, where they reviewed progress in bilateral relations, including developments since Anwar’s visit to India last year. “Bilateral ties are growing strongly in futuristic sectors like IT, renewable energy and infrastructure. We also discussed how to improve investment and trade relations between our nations,” he said. Modi announced Vision Mahasagar – “Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions” – for the Global South during his visit to Mauritius on March 12. Anwar arrived in Brazil on Saturday to attend the BRICS Summit, hosted by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Malaysia officially became a BRICS Partner Country on Jan 1 this year. – Bernama Yesterday’s meeting was attended by secretaries-general and senior representatives from the foreign ministries of Asean member states, who discussed preparations for the AMM and related meetings. They also deliberated on key issues expected to be raised and highlighted during the upcoming sessions. The AMM and related meetings, to be held under Malaysia’s 2025 Asean Chairmanship themed ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability,’ will feature 24 ministerial-level meetings, including engagements with Asean Dialogue Partners and Sectoral Dialogue Partners. – Bernama

including Palestine and Jammu-Kashmir. Anwar said Malaysia welcomed efforts to enhance Asean–India relations, with the Asean–India Summit scheduled for October, in line with the spirit of cooperation for mutual benefit. “May the strong ties between Malaysia and India continue to grow for the benefit and well-being of the people of both nations,” he said. Anwar described the meeting as brief but meaningful and substantial. The two leaders last met during the 21st Asean–India Summit in Laos last year. In this latest meeting, Anwar was accompanied by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. Also present was India’s Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar. Malaysia is India’s third-largest trading partner in Asean, with total trade valued at US$20.02 billion (RM84.4 billion) in 2023 to 2024, accounting for about 17% of India’s total trade with Asean. Retreat and the Asean Plus One Post-Ministerial Conference with Dialogue Partners,” he told reporters after the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty meeting, which was held immediately after the SOM on Monday. Amran added that Malaysia, as this year’s Asean chair, will also convene trilateral meetings involving the Asean Secretariat and four countries – Norway, Switzerland, Brazil and Turkiye. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan is scheduled to hold a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Asean member states and dialogue partner countries.

Asean senior official talks set stage for ministers’ meeting KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) wrapped up yesterday, setting the stage for the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), which begins today.

Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin, who chaired the meeting, said discussions at the senior officials’ level went smoothly and preparations for the foreign ministers’ meeting were already underway. “Hopefully, we have four more days from Tuesday to Friday to complete the full series of meetings. This includes the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the Asean Foreign Ministers’