By Asmahanim Amir
Pix Izwan Azman

BANGI, March 7, 2016 – The National University of Malaysia-Graduate School of Business (UKM-GSB) has trained some 170 Sri Lankan senior civil servants in public policy planning and implementation.

UKM Vice Chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali said this is part of the reform initiative to upgrade the civil service in Sri Lanka.

“Additionally, some 80 senior officers have attended the study mission in Malaysia as part of their course in SLIDA (Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration) over the last three years,” he said in his  welcoming remarks to a group of Sri Lankan Public Officials on a study visit to Malaysia here recently.

He said as a developing country, Malaysia and Sri Lanka share many challenges.

He added that the programme that UKM-GSB has arranged for SLIDA will provide them with a wealth of knowledge and skills which can be applied back home.

Meanwhile, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Ibrahim Ansar regarded the SLIDA programme as a success as the previous study tours to Malaysia were conducted satisfactorily.

 “We believe that the Malaysian experience in socioeconomic development can give beneficial inputs to offer to our officers,” he added.