Released by : Bernama
KUALA
LUMPUR, Jan 27 (BERNAMA) -- Malaysia is set to become a training and education hub among
members of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) following the signing of a
memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the OIC Centre for Intellectual Opportunities
(OIC-CIO), here Tuesday.
Foreign
Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said Malaysia would also act as the primary bridge
linking the supply and demand of training and education within member countries.
"The
OIC-CIO initiative, one of the major OICeducation programmes by OICNetworks Sdn Bhd
(OICN), falls in line with the resolution passed during the 10th OIC Summit last October
to create a conducive atmosphere for the expansion and development of knowledge to
strengthen Islamic countries," he told reporters.
The
MoU was signed between OICN and its partners; TimeCom Holding Sdn Bhd, SIRIM Bhd,
Malaysian Institute of Management (MIM), MIGHT Meteor Advance Manufacturing Sdn Bhd,
BostonWeb Academy, Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT), Global
Institute of Studies, KLC Centre for Higher Studies, Al-Amoudi Middle East Alliance Sdn
Bhd and Kries Education Consortium.
He
said the partnership would help create networking and attract more students from the OIC
countries to pursue professional and skills training in Malaysia and other OIC countries.
To
a question regarding Indonesia's proposal for Malaysia to set up schools for migrant
workers' children, Syed Hamid said the government had taken note of the matter but yet to
arrive at any concrete decision.
"During
the bilateral call by the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) on
(Indonesian) President Megawati (Sukarnoputri), the subject was touched on and we will
look into it.
"If
they want to organise schools like the Indonesian schools in Kuala Lumpur, that is
different. But if they want to have (schools) in places of work, that means a separate
facility has to be organised and established, it is not just as simple as having available
teachers," he said.
Thousands
of Indonesian workers are working in Malaysia particularly in the construction and
plantation sectors.
Earlier
in his speech, Syed Hamid said Malaysia would act as the launch pad to promote training
and education as a tool for development among OIC member countries.
He
expressed confidence that more member countries would collaborate to provide the impetus
and leadership towards equipping the Muslim workforce with the necessary tools, knowledge
and systems.
During
its first phase, OIC-CIO is expected to garner an average annual participation of more
than 1,000 participants, focusing on providing training from Malaysia.
Speaking
to reporters, Chief Executive Officer of OICNetworks Sdn Bhd, Dr Ishkandar Baharin said
OICN and the OIC-CIO would provide accurate and prompt information on education
opportunities to OIC member countries through a package of affordable education and
training packages and technology.
