IPD Links Up with German Partners

KATOWICE, POLAND, 27 JUNE – Malaysians keen on top-notch professional development can soon look forward to acquiring in-demand knowledge and skills from a top business school and other institutions in Germany. This has been made possible through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the Institute of Professional Development (IPD) with the European School of Management and Technology (ESMT Berlin) and the Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade (BWA), also in Berlin. The historic moment took place on the sidelines of the 11th World Urban Forum (WUF11) in the city of Katowice, Poland, which was being held from 26 to 30 June. IPD collaborates with a diverse network of local and international experts to offer innovative short-term courses and training for organisations that wish to advance the competencies of their staff. Both IPD and its sister institution, Open University Malaysia, which is well-known for its online and part-time programmes for working adults, are under METEOR Sdn Bhd, an education group which is focused on providing lifelong and continuing education for all Malaysians. The signing, which took place at WUF11’s Malaysian Pavilion on 27 June, was witnessed by the Minister of Housing and Local Government, YB Dato’ Sri Reezal Merican Naina Merican and Malaysia Ambassador to Poland, HE Dato’ Chitra Devi Ramiah . IPD was represented by METEOR Group CEO Muhammad Afiq Redzuan. Meanwhile, ESMT and BWA represented by GBP International, Volker Friedrich. Signing an MoU with ESMT Berlin is a major milestone for IPD as the former is the highest-ranked business school in Germany and one of the top 10 in Europe. A non-profit private institution, ESMT Berlin offers master’s (including MBA), PhD, and executive education programmes at its campus in Berlin as well as online. The MoU will present IPD participants with opportunities in the following areas:

1. Joint programmes for exposure to ESMT Berlin’s expertise in innovation and agile methods, Industry 4.0, start-up acceleration, small and medium enterprise growth, and building of hidden champions (midsize European or world market leaders that are highly successful but not well known to the public)
2. Corporate tours and business tie-ins with Airbus, Porsche, BMW, SmartPort Hamburg, and Ledvance GmBH
3. Micro-credentials and other joint programmes with licensed certification for seamless credit transfer to ESMT Berlin
4. Joint certification from IPD and ESMT Berlin

IPD also signed an MoU with BWA, a leading business association in Germany. As a non-governmental association comprising about 1,000 large corporations and small and medium-sized businesses, it builds bridges between German businesses and corporations, policymakers and universities worldwide. The MoU between IPD and BWA will enable IPD participants to:

1. Tap into BWA’s extensive network of trade clubs and external trade visitors at 100 trade points across the globe
2. Access and share information on business, trade and joint economic development
3. Attend joint industry-academic programmes
4. Benefit from business and economic links with Germany

The METEOR delegation to WUF11 sought to showcase its lifelong and inclusive education initiatives in Malaysia and highlight the importance of fulfilling current and future higher education needs through digital technology and online learning. International joint ventures in the field of education, such as those between IPD and its German partners, can benefit learners immensely. A global outlook, worldwide reach, and access to world-class academics and programmes can greatly enhance learners’ capabilities to be at par with others on an international turf. For information on IPD’s programmes, which are geared towards government and corporate executives, the institute can be contacted at +6019 2103439 or ipd@oum.edu.my.