The Canadian flag flapped high at UTM Kuala Lumpur on May 2nd 2019 to welcome the High Commissioner of Canada to Malaysia for AHIBS Global Dialogue. Her Excellency Ms. Julia G. Bentley delivered a lecture entitled ‘Canada-Malaysia Partnership’ in front of over 40 participants consisting of academicians, students, and officers from several universities and institutions.
HE’s talk focused on celebrating and promoting the links that Canada and Malaysia have forged in trade, education and social spheres. HE was accompanied by her First Secretary and Trade Commissioner, Mr. Thomas Abols who also presented a slot on ‘Study in Canada’. Also present in the program were officers from the Malaysia-Canada Business Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The program was officiated by the Dean of AHIBS in the presence of UTM KL Pro Vice-Chancellor and Associate Director of UTM International KL. In her welcoming speech, the Dean remarked UTM’s engagement with Canadian institutions since 2011. UTM has at least 8 legal partnerships with Canadian institutions and has sent its students for mobility and research internships for instance at the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, and University Laval. To date, 20 students from Canada have reciprocated in UTM inbound mobility programs.
AHIBS Global Dialogue is a program introduced by Azman Hashim International Business School as a platform for academic discourse and networking opportunities between diplomats and participants. The program is an initiative aligned with UTM Global Plan 2012 – 2020 (PGU) designed to strengthen the University as a global and renowned institution in science, technology, and engineering. It features interesting figures from high profile diplomatic officers in Malaysia to speak about issues that can benefit bilateral relations and academic discourse. Previously, the program has invited the Ambassador of Hungary, the Ambassador of The Gambia, the High Commissioner of Pakistan, the Ambassador of Denmark, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey, and the Brigadier General from the United States. AHIBS Global Dialogue, is a regular series organized under the AHIBS portfolio of External and Global Engagement, with support from the UTM International and Corporate Affairs.
It was HE Bentley’s first visit to UTM KL. HE’s presence is expected to strengthen and extend further bilateral ties between the nations in education and research.