Earlier this morning, IDFR in collaboration with the Alumni Association of the Administrative and Diplomatic Officers (PTD Alumni), IDB Alumni Malaysia and the University of Southern California Alumni Association Malaysia (USC Alumni Association) organised a forum entitled Middle East Revisited: Geo Strategic Implications, Democratic Transformation Challenge and the Economic Development Potential (Case of Egypt).
His Excellency Tun Datuk Seri Utama Mohd Khalil Yaakob, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Melaka was the guest of honour at the event.
The forum commenced with welcoming remarks by Dato' Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari, the Director General and Opening Remarks by Tan Sri Dato' Sri Sallehuddin Mohamed, President of the PTD Alumni. This was followed by the forum discussion moderated by Datuk Dr. Mohamed Ghazali Md. Noor, President of IDB Alumni Malaysia.
The speakers at the forum were Dr. Azmi Hassan, GeoStrategist, Institute of Geospatial and Perdana School, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia; Dr. Farish A.Noor, IDFR’s Distinguished Fellow and Associate Professor at Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University; and Dr. Ali Soliman, former CEO/MD, Islamic Corporation of the Development of Private Sector IDB Group and Professor at the British University of Egypt. Dr. Azmi Hassan spoke on Geo Strategic Implications and Consequences of Post Arab Spring Middle East; Dr. Farish Noor gave his viewpoint on Democratic Transformation of Post Arab Spring Middle East-Challenge of Governance and Dr. Ali Soliman elaborated on Economic Development Potential (Case of Egypt).
A short but interesting question and answer session came at the end of the forum and five members of the floor took the opportunity to engage with the speakers. Approximately 150 participants attended the three-hour forum.
Reported by : Noraini Awang Nong
Academic Studies, Research and Publication Division
