The Washington Post:
The town-hall event at Malaya University will be with young leaders from 10 Southeast Asian nations, and Obama also will meet with civil-rights leaders in Malaysia, as the United States attempts to promote democratic values.White House announced that President Obama will answer questions at a town hall-style event at University of Malaya (UM). The previous high profile country leader visited UM was His Excellency Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China in 2011. See media release from UM below:
His Excellency Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China pays an official visit to University of Malaya.
KUALA LUMPUR, 27 APRIL 2011 – His Excellency Premier Wen Jiabao made an official visit to the University of Malaya (UM) today. The visit signifies the long ‐ standing bilateral ties between the two countries, especially in the higher education platform.
H.E Premier Wen Jiabao was welcomed by the Vice ‐ Chancellor of UM, Professor Dr. Ghauth Jasmon, lecturers and students in a colourful traditional welcome ceremony, complete with traditional dances, kompang and gamelan music.
During H.E’s visit, he viewed a special photography exhibition on historical China ‐ Malaysia friendship visits, interacted with students and staff, presented books on China and planted a friendship tree (camphor) with Professor Dr. Ghauth, assisted by three students.
“The University of Malaya recognizes the growing importance of China’s role in higher education and is delighted to have established strong collaborations with a number of top ranked academic institutions in China,” said Professor Dr. Ghauth.
“There has also been a marked increase in the population of students from China in this university especially in the fields of engineering, science, business administration and Malay studies. In order to further facilitate the needs of students in China who want to pursue their education in our university, the university has also established an offshore office in Beijing which acts as a centre for information and recruitment,” he said.
“I am proud to say that, the University of Malaya is the first university in this country to spearhead endeavors in China and Chinese studies through the establishment of the Institute of China Studies and Kong Zi Institute,” he added.
Professor Dr. Ghauth presented a gambus, a traditional Malay musical instrument to the Premier. The choice of planting the camphor tree signified UM’s intention to establish a firm and steady friendship with the people of China. The camphor tree also has an added significance. It has medicinal properties and is used especially in Chinese traditional medicine.