The Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) successfully conducted the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP): Diplomatic Training Course for International Participants from 12 to 23 May 2024. A total of 15 diplomatic officers from Algeria, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Cuba, Fiji, Georgia, Ghana, Iraq, Jordan, Laos, Maldives, Nepal, Philippines, Venezuela and two officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia attended the course in Kuala Lumpur.
Throughout the course, participants had the opportunity to delve into a comprehensive understanding of diplomacy and practical skills from prominent speakers on modules such as Introduction to Malaysia; Introduction to MTCP; Malaysia’s Foreign Policy; Malaysia’s Bilateral and Multilateral Diplomacy Practices; Malaysia and ASEAN; Role of Public Diplomacy in Foreign Policy; Strategic Leadership and Quality Management for Officers; Mastering the Art of Communication Through Traditional and New Media; Case Presentations on Effective Media Communication; International Negotiations; and Protocol Practices and Diplomatic Etiquette.
Alongside in-class sessions, participants had the chance to visit administrative centres and significant landmarks in Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur, such as Batu Caves, Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC), Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex as well as experiencing local gastronomies through a session titled Malaysian Food Diplomacy. The participants also visited Sarawak for a three-day trip which provided them with the understanding of the state’s economic and social developments through a series of briefings and networking sessions with officers from Sarawak State Secretary Office, Sarawak Federal Secretary Office, Sarawak Energy Berhad, and Wisma Putra’s Sarawak Regional Office. In addition, the participants were able to experience Sarawak's rich culture and heritage through visits to Borneo Cultures Museum and Sarawak Cultural Village.
Overall, participants were committed and very engaging throughout the sessions and they relayed positive feedback on the programme. On the final day of the course, the participants were awarded a certificate of participation, marking the successful completion of their training journey. Present during the ceremony were H.E. Md Shameem Ahsan (High Commissioner of Bangladesh); H.E. Florentino Batista-Gonzalez (Ambassador of Cuba); H.E. Dr Ismael Maddallah Suliman Maaytah (Ambassador of Jordan); H.E. Dilli Raj Poudel (Ambassador of Nepal); Mr. Saidi Ali (Minister Plenipotentiary of Algeria); Mr. Mohd Aizul Hakim bin Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi (Acting High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam); Mr. Shalva Datiashvili (Charge d’Affairs of Georgia); Mr. Ibrahim Shaaz Habeeb (Chargé d’Affaires / Deputy High Commissioner of Maldives); Mr. Enrique González Kong (Chargé d’Affaires of Venezuela) as well as representatives from the embassies of Iraq, Laos and Philippines to celebrate the participants for completing the course successfully.
Prepared by:
Ms. Hanun Insyirah Ishak and Ms. Aida Yasmin Azhar
Centre for Political Studies and Economic Diplomacy (PSED)
