Limkokwing University welcomes MATRADE’s African Delegates for the Third Country Training Programme
A total of 14 government delegates from seven different African countries paid an official visit to Limkokwing University as a part of the Third Country Training Programme by Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) on 26 August.
MATRADE is the national trade promotion agency of Malaysia established in order to undertake activities to promote the export of Malaysian goods and services in foreign markets.
The Third Country Training Programme was a result of collaboration between the governments of Malaysia and Japan with MATRADE as an initiative to achieve mutual cooperation with African countries in overcoming global challenges through capacity building.
The delegates who participated in the training programme were government officials from trade ministries and government agencies in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia. They were brought on an official tour to successful organisations in Malaysia to draft an action plan for the trade development of their countries.
“Limkokwing University is one of Malaysia’s success stories. The University is carrying the brand of Malaysia,” said the Assistant Manager Nurul Huda Kamarul Baharin from MATRADE’s Competency, Innovation and Career Development Unit (CICDU), who accompanied the delegates on their tour throughout the two weeks of training and corporate visits.
“When Limkokwing University build campuses abroad, it’s actually exporting educational services. We are proud say that the University has campuses across three different continents, including Africa and that’s why we chose to bring the delegates here,” she added.
According to Nurul Huda, the training programme is a two-way information collaboration. As MATRADE provide technical training and encourage exchanging ideas and expertise, it obtains valuable information about possible investment projects and market information of African countries that can be useful for Malaysian exporters.
She also highlighted that the training programme opens up opportunities for not only Malaysian exporters but also educational institutions like Limkokwing University to establish new campuses in African countries.
One of the delegates, Abiola Adeola Kumapayi, Senior Trade Promotion Officer from Nigeria’s Export Promotion Council, was impressed with Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing’s philosophy of driving economy through creativity and innovation. She promised to bring his ideas back to her country and find ways to be creative and innovative to boost their economy.
“I am greatly interested with the way industry players are involved in students’ curriculum. This practice will ensure that the students are well-informed of what the industry seeks from them. Industry-based education is very important to develop the economy of a country,” Abiola said.