Methodist Council of Education (MCOE) and UNITAR International University formalised a partnership that promises to shape the future of teacher development in Malaysia. Through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), both institutions have committed to equipping and empowering Wesley Methodist School (WMS) teachers with the tools, knowledge, and values to thrive in today's evolving educational landscape.
At the heart of this collaboration lies a shared mission: to nurture excellence in education. The partnership focuses on professional development initiatives, with a key highlight being the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) to enhance the quality of teaching at WMS in Peninsular Malaysia. By combining UNITAR's expertise in delivering flexible, values-based higher education with MCOE's longstanding commitment to academic excellence and character-driven schooling, the agreement marks the beginning of a purposeful journey toward transformational teaching and learning.
What made this event truly exceptional was the personal and stirring address by UNITAR’s Vice Chancellor, Tan Sri Dato' Sri Ir. Dr. Sahol Hamid Bin Abu Bakar, whose heartfelt connection to the Methodist education system turned a formal ceremony into a moving tribute. His words struck a chord with everyone present:
“When I first heard that it was the Methodist Council of Education seeking to partner with UNITAR, I was overwhelmed with joy. It felt as though the stars had aligned — this collaboration felt like divine intervention."
The Vice Chancellor then took the audience on a reflective journey into his past, sharing how his formative years at Pykett Primary School (1959) and Methodist Boys School (1965) laid the foundation for who he is today.
“It was there that I encountered teachers who did more than teach — they inspired. They instilled in me timeless values: humility, integrity, compassion, and resilience.”
He recalled the deep pride he felt when, as a young engineer in 1976, he returned to contribute to the Methodist Church in Brickfields — a small gesture to give back to a community that had nurtured him.
What moved many in the room was his testimony of inclusion:
“Although I am Malay and Muslim, I spent my early years in a Methodist school, often the only Malay boy in a sea of Chinese classmates. But I was never made to feel out of place. That is the spirit of Methodist Education — one that transcends race, religion, and background.”
This partnership, as he put it, is a “homecoming” — a bridge between the past and the future, anchored in shared values and a common purpose to shape educators who will, in turn, shape generations.
As the ceremony concluded, what lingered in the hearts of all present was not just the formality of signatures but the resounding hope that this collaboration would become a legacy in the making, one that carries forward the spirit of inclusive, balanced, and character-based education.
Completed the signing of MoU: (from left) Mr. Tan Ay Zing, Chairman, Wesley Methodist School Board of Management; Mr. Lim Kah Cheng, Director, Methodist Education, Methodist Council of Education; Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dato' Sri Ir. Dr. Sahol Hamid Bin Abu Bakar, Vice Chancellor, UNITAR Education Group; Mr. Timothy Johnson, Chief Commercial Officer, UNITAR Education Group
Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ir. Dr. Sahol Hamid Bin Abu Bakar, Vice Chancellor of UNITAR Education Group (centre), pictured with representatives from the Methodist Council of Education (MCOE).
Interested in advancing your career in education with purpose and impact?
Whether you are a current teacher or someone aspiring to shape future minds, explore how this collaboration between MCOE and UNITAR can support your professional growth.
Learn more about the opportunities for teachers:
Email us at: hr@mcoe.edu.my
Visit: mcoe.edu.my
