In a prestigious event held on May 9th, 2024 at the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia, Dr. Jamila binti Mohd, a distinguished academician from the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya, was awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for 2023. This honor recognizes her extensive contributions to the promotion of Japanese language and culture in Malaysia.
The ceremony was graced with the presence of His Excellency Mr. Takahashi Katsuhiko, the Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, alongside other eminent personalities from both academic and diplomatic fields, underscoring the strong ties between the two nations.
Dr. Jamila's journey in Japanese studies began in 1990 at Universiti Malaya and continued in Japan at the University of Tsukuba. Her career has been marked by significant achievements, including interpreting for Malaysia's former Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Mohammad Najib Tun Abdul Razak, writing textbooks on Japanese language that are now used nationwide, and translating Malaysian literary works into Japanese.
During her speech, Dr. Jamila expressed profound gratitude to the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation for their unwavering support. She shared touching stories about her personal and professional life, notably her marriage to Dr. Talaibek Musaev, whom she met in Japan, and their three children who consider Japanese as their first language.
Looking to the future, Dr. Jamila is committed to advancing the Malaysia-Japan Research Centre (MJRC) and addressing the shortage of Japanese language educators in Malaysia. Her dedication to enhancing educational opportunities and fostering cultural understanding between Malaysia and Japan remains stronger than ever.
This accolade not only celebrates Dr. Jamila’s achievements but also highlights the strong bilateral ties and dynamic educational and cultural exchange that continues to thrive between Malaysia and Japan.