LONDON: After over four decades of studying at Henley Business School, Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg returned to the campus with a new mission.

As part of his working visit to the United Kingdom, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari announced plans to send Sarawak civil service officers to undergo executive training programmes at Henley Business School, the University of Reading, and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

According to him, the initiative will open up opportunities for middle-level officers to gain international exposure in the field of leadership and management in line with current needs.

“We would like to recommend collaboration between the two institutions and the Sarawak Government to conduct executive programmes that provide training and exposure to our civil service officers, especially middle-level officers.

“This is so that they can adapt to changes in management and the way of working according to current needs that have greatly changed,” he said when met by reporters during a visit to the campus on Tuesday local time.

The Sarawak Premier explained that Henley Business School offers the Leadership 5.0 programme which is relevant to current needs because it emphasises future leadership strategies and the use of the latest technology.

To begin with, he said, at least three officers will be sent each year either through an open programme with international participants or a specific programme designed according to the state’s needs.

“I leave it to the civil service, the Sarawak Secretary, to determine the number of officers each year.

“Maybe we will send three people this year, and another three next year, so that there is a more structured collaboration with Henley Business School,” he said.

This visit is also full of personal memories for the Sarawak Premier as he returned to the campus that was a place of learning over 40 years ago.

He also had the opportunity to take the train from Reading Station to Paddington Station, a route he often took as a student in London.

Also accompanying him on the visit were the Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr. Annuar Rapaee, Sarawak Secretary, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak Attorney General, Dato Sri Saferi Ali, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development), Dato Sri Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, and Chief Political Secretary to the Sarawak Premier, Dato Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman. -UKASnews