The Course for Spouses of Heads of Mission commenced on Monday, 25 January 2010 and saw the participation of 23 spouses of serving senior Wisma Putra officers. It was organised to further develop and enhance the spouses’ knowledge in performing their roles and responsibilities effectively abroad. The Opening Ceremony was officiated by Y.Bhg. Datin Sri Siti Rubiah Datuk Abdul Samad, the patron of PERWAKILAN and wife of the Foreign Minister.

 In her Opening Remarks, Y.Bhg. Datin Sri Siti Rubiah proposed that the spouses of the ministry’s heads of mission be allowed to work abroad, since most of them were highly educated and skillful in their respective fields.

 

The five-day course will see participants engaging in discussions on protocol matters, public speaking, social etiquette, leadership, and personal grooming, among others. They will also be involved in a panel discussion on ‘Life as the Spouse of the Head of Mission’. A visit to the Perdana Leadership Foundation in Putrajaya for a discussion session with Y.A.Bhg. Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali was also in the programme.

Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa, the Secretary General of the Ministry, was also invited to give a talk on 27 January 2010 on 'The Role and Functions of Wisma Putra and an Overview of Malaysia's Foreign Policy'. During the talk, held at the Treaty Room, Tan Sri Rastam stressed the fact that “spouses must fully understand the foreign policy of Malaysia, which changes to suit times and conditions”. He also said that “they must also equip themselves with appropriate knowledge because they have an equal role to play” in promoting Malaysia’s interests, and on top of that, “the demands on and the responsibilities of the Heads of Mission and their spouses are much larger than they used to be”.

 

The Course for Spouses of Heads of Mission ended on Friday afternoon with a certificate presentation ceremony by Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Hasmy Agam, the Executive Chairman of IDFR, and a Closing Ceremony.