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Empey heads East to further international relationships

15 February 2009

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, is today beginning a four day visit to Malaysia and Singapore to promote international relations and business and education collaboration.

Sir Reg said: "Singapore and Malaysia have important education and economic links with Northern Ireland and the international collaboration, especially in this current economic climate, can provide tremendous benefits for us all.   There has been a long standing relationship between Malaysia and Belfast and over 2000 Malaysian students have graduated from Queen's University. It is important that we encourage more people from there to study in Northern Ireland.

"I also hope to help further the research partnership which was cemented last year when PETRONAS, the Malaysian-owned oil and gas company, provided Queen's University with funding of £5.25m for ionic liquid research."

The Minister added: "Singapore has a highly developed and successful economy and its Government recently unveiled its budget which is aimed at saving jobs and strengthening workers' skills and competencies.  I want to see what elements of this package we can use back home to ensure that we maintain a globally competitive workforce."

The Minister will begin his visit by attending a ceremony in Putrajaya Palace where Queen's University will confer an honorary degree on the King of Malaysia.  He will meet with the Chief Executive of Terenganu University College and the head of research and development at Petronas and he will also visit the University of Malaya.

In Singapore Sir Reg will meet with the Ministry of Manpower and the Workforce Development Agency as well as touring the Singapore Polytechnic and the Institute for Adult Learning.

NOTES TO EDITOR:

  1. The Minister will be in Malaysia from Monday 16 - Wednesday 18 February and in Singapore from Thursday 19 - Friday 20 February.
  2. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.  Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.