On April 30, 2013, the Director General of Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), Dr.Naim Yaakub attended a meeting with the Director of Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), Ms.Sharifah Ezneeda Wafa at the latter’s office in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Putrajaya, Malaysia. Also in attendance was Mr.Shukri Ibrahim, a training consultant.

The MTCP was launched in 1980. The main objective lies under its philosophy that the human resource development is a vital catalyst for countries to achieve sustainable economic and social development. The Programme consolidates various forms of technical cooperation in areas where Malaysia has the valuable experience and expertise. Through these cooperation efforts, Malaysia’s ties with MTCP member countries were strengthened. The MTCP is implemented through several cooperation programmes such as training in both short and long-term courses, study visits and practical attachment.

CPSC is a unique intergovernmental organization for knowledge building, knowledge sharing, prosperity, harmony and mutual recognition with the underlying aim of promoting TVET for all and Sustainable Development. CPSC constantly align its work program in the mainstream development frameworks and needs-based trainings at country and international level. Stronger partnership and networking are significantly utilized to create more opportunities for our member countries and similar organizations with common goals. Collectively, CPSC is determined to grow with participating members, stakeholders and other beneficiaries.

The meeting between the organizations was held to identify suitable courses that CPSC and MTCP could conduct for countries that both organizations have common interest in. This would be the first collaboration between CPSC and MTCP. Two courses were identified to be viable i.e.

  1. Economic Planning and Management at the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN), Malaysia in September/October 2013, and
  2. Open Source Information Systems Development at the United Nations University International Institute of Global Health (UNU-IIGH), Kuala Lumpur in October 2013

Further communications will be pursued leading to the choice of the most appopriate course between the above two to be conducted this year and next year. Criteria for selection of participants were discussed, with the possibility of CPSC and MTCP acting as the joint-clearinghouse for the selection. Other aspects, details and progress towards the conduct of the collaboration will surface through communications between the two parties leading up to the date of the actual program implementation.