The Fiji High Commission in Malaysia, in collaboration with Winning Magnitude Sdn Bhd of Malaysia, organised a welcome dinner for Fijian Government sponsored students earlier this month.
The dinner was held at the Sunway Lagoon Resort, Kuala Lumpur and was the first to be organised by the Fiji High Commission.
In 2008, the Fijian Government through the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs began sending to Malaysia for study opportunities. This year, the Public Service Commission joined the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs in sending students to Malaysia and there are now are 34 students in Malaysia sponsored by both agencies.
Amongst the guests at the dinner was the CEO of Winning Magnitude, Mr Kabilan Muniandy whose company is the focal point for the Government in finding placements for sponsored students
Mr Muniandy addressed the students and thanked them for choosing Malaysia, saying that this is a reflection of the positive standard of Malaysia’s higher education. Also present was the CEO of Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) Mr Yazid Hamid. EMGS is the new agency responsible for the processing of student visa. In his address to the students, Mr Hamid reiterated that the processing of students’ entrance to Malaysia next year would be improved.
Mr Muniandy said that the EMGS is also liaising with the various industries in Malaysia regarding the possibility of students’ taking up internship placements once they have completed their studies.
The keynote address was delivered by Fiji’s High Commissioner in Malaysia, Ratu Meli Bainimarama who welcomed the newly sponsored students in Malaysia and reminded them of importance of completing their studies and returning home to contribute to the Government’s vision of building a better Fiji for all.
“By accepting the scholarship, you have abandoned yourself to the Government’s long-term objective of creating a smarter Fiji through, amongst others, higher education. In the face of greater global competition and in our pursuit for a knowledge-based economy, a great education is more important than ever. A higher education is the single best investment Government has made in your future. Now that you are on the scholarship, please do your best to complete your studies.”
He reminded guests on the Fijian Government’s commitment to continue sending students to Malaysia in 2014 and reiterated the Prime Minister’s personal commitment to making education available to empower Fiji’s youth.
“Our Prime Minister has said it many times, but it bears mentioning again: Education is a cornerstone of Fiji’s future and in this context, there is no more important issue in Fiji than empowering our young people through education”.
High Commissioner Bainimarama also thanked Winning Magnitude for assisting Fijian students and that the Fijian Government will continue to work with the company in securing placements for its sponsored students.
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