The Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) has organised the SPKM: Pre-Posting Orientation Course for Home-Based Staff and Spouses 3/2018 from 10 to 19 July 2018. This course was designed for officers grade 41 and above and their spouses, to boost and develop their diplomatic skills and knowledge in international diplomatic practices.
This course was attended by 66 participants that comprised of government officers and their spouses. The officers were from ten different ministries and government agencies/departments, namely from the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Prime Minister’s Department (JPM), Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Tourism Malaysia, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), Yayasan Islam Kelantan, Ministry of Education (MOE), Public Service Department Malaysia (JPA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA).
The course aimed to expose the participants on matters associated to their roles and duties working at Malaysian Missions abroad. Among the modules conducted were lectures on Malaysia’s Foreign Policy; Preparation Before Working and Living Abroad; Roles of Spouses at Mission; Cross Cultural Awareness; Grooming and Social Etiquette; Fine Dining; the Art of Entertaining at Home; Consular Works at Mission; as well as Administrative and Security Matters at Mission. In addition, the participants also had their children sensitised by living conditions abroad during the sharing session with the children of the diplomats.
IDFR believes all of the officers are very much prepared to perform their duties professionally when posted abroad. Encik Aiyub Omar, Head of Centre for Leadership, Negotiation and Public Diplomacy delivered his closing remarks and presented the certificates to the participants during the closing ceremony on the last day of the course.
Prepared by:
Ms. Zulaikha Jaafar (Intern)
Centre for Leadership, Negotiation and Public Diplomacy (LNPD)
