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address by Dato’ Hamzah Zainudin and presentation of diplomas and certificates. The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards for Top Performers of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Simulation Exercise, Director General’s Award for Best Speech Writer, Deputy Secretary General’s Award for Best Presentation Skills, Secretary General’s Award for Best Leadership and Foreign Minis- ter’s Award for Overall Best Student. The evening continued with the vote of General of Management Services of The Graduation Ceremony of the Dip- the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malay- loma in Diplomacy programme was held on 6 September 2014 at Putra- sia, ambassadors and high commis- sioners, senior officers from the Minis- jaya Marriott Hotel. It marked the conclusion of the Diploma in Diploma- try and the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR), parents and cy 2014 programme and the com- pletion of the Regional and Interna- spouses of the participants and facili- tional Affairs Module (RIAM). tators of the programme. Thirty-two junior diplomats from the Ministry of Dato’ Hamzah Zainudin, the Deputy Foreign Affairs, Malaysia received their diploma and six international partici- Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia, graced the ceremony and presented pants received their certificates of certificates to the participants. The ce- completion for RIAM. remony was also attended by Dato’ The evening began with welcoming Ramlan Ibrahim, Deputy Secretary remarks by Dato’ Hussin Nayan, General of Bilateral Affairs and Dato’ Ibrahim Abdullah, Deputy Secretary Director General of IDFR, followed by FORUM FORUM Welcoming Remarks by Dato’ Hussin Nayan, Director General of IDFR at the Graduation Ceremony of Diploma in Diplomacy (DiD) 2014 Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, at our Embassies abroad. and the specialists. Neither did we Assalamu’alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi have the chance to listen to some of Wa Barakatuh, The DiD programme is designed to the best minds in diplomacy and groom the participants in diverse international relations such as Tan Sri Salam 1Malaysia and good evening areas of diplomacy including soft skills Hasmy Agam, Tan Sri Razali Ismail, Dr. such as English and foreign language, Farish Noor and former Prime Minister YB Dato’ Hamzah Zainudin, Deputy protocol and international negotiations of Bosnia, Haris Silajdzic, to name a Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia while strengthening writing, presenta- few. I am certain you have taken tion and communication skills. Along- valuable notes and lessons from these YBhg. Dato’ Ramlan Ibrahim, side this, they are taught substantive distinguished personalities and will subjects covering relevant, current utilize them meaningfully. YBhg. Dato’ Ibrahim Abdullah, and key issues of interest to Malaysia at the national, regional and interna- Finally, I wish to congratulate both DiD Your Excellencies, Ambassadors and tional levels. graduates and the international parti- High Commissioners, cipants on your success. The parents Accordingly, the approach taken to and spouses of the DiD participants in Graduating Class of DID 2014, parents foster learning and better retention is particular, should be extremely proud and spouses, carefully considered. Throughout the of their achievement as the pro- programme, the junior diplomats are gramme has indeed been compact, Foreign Participants, taught varied modules through blend- rigorous and demanding. The fact that ed learning including panel discus- you have excelled shows your mettle Distinguished guests, sions, intellectual discourse, media and preparedness to handle the engagement, attachment at Malay- demanding career ahead. I trust you Ladies and Gentlemen, sia’s Embassies abroad in addition to will also bring with you cherished lectures and research assignments. memories of the time you shared with On behalf of IDFR, I am indeed This is all aimed at developing know- both your friends and colleagues as pleased to welcome every one this ledgeable, versatile and well-rounded well as with the IDFR fraternity. We evening to share this special occasion diplomats ready to handle the “bread wish you all the best in your en- with us. We are especially grateful that and butter” issues of diplomacy as deavours. many of the parents and spouses are well as to meet the challenges of the also here to witness and celebrate the 21st century. Thank you. graduation of their talented sons and daughters. My sincere thanks also to Ladies and Gentlemen, Dato’ Ramlan, Senior Wisma Putra officers, the speakers and trainers for Allow me to now address our DiD your presence. graduates by quoting former US Presi- dent, Woodrow Wilson, who once said As the training arm of the Ministry of “Every man sent out from a learning Foreign Affairs, IDFR conducts learn- institution should be a man of his ing programmes at various levels for nation as well as a man of his time.” As the Ministry’s officers. Among these, such, you are the precious assets of the Diploma in Diplomacy (DiD) is the Ministry and the nation. You will considered the flagship course – one inherit our nation and will determine which is truly important, useful and our foreign policy direction in the years critical for our junior diplomats as they ahead. I urge you to go forth with this seek to enhance their competency strong sense of responsibility and and professionalism at the beginning carry out your duty with uncompro- of their career. mising integrity, ethics and moral values which are the hallmarks of a Started in 2010, the mandatory DiD true diplomat. programme is constantly reviewed and upgraded in order to ensure our Please also know that you are indeed junior diplomats are equipped with very fortunate to be given this oppor- in-depth knowledge, the right mind- tunity. When I started my service more set, skills and attitude before embar- than 30 years ago, we did not have the king on their first overseas assignment privilege to learn from the practitioners DIPLOMATIC VOICE 5 thanks delivered by the best student, gramme. He further emphasised that young diplomats in raising the profile Ms. Priscilla Ann Yap. The rest of the “training is made even more acute by of ASEAN by ensuring the success of evening was filled with performances the shifting dynamics of international Malaysia’s functions for ASEAN Chair- by the participants. relations, characterised by geostra- manship 2015. tegic changes, rapid technological In his address, Dato’ Hamzah Zainudin changes and the need for leadership congratulated the participants for to deal with the myriad of international completing the course and hoped that issues”. Dato’ Hamzah Zainudin they benefitted well from the pro- stressed the importance of the roles of