From 8 - 12 Dec 07, a group of Master in Public Admin students, full timers and part timers went on a study trip to Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru for a study trip. Strictly speaking, out of the 5 days, only 3 days were studying.. the rest was travelling and sightseeing/ shopping (depending what pp chose). I must say however, i've never spent so much time on a bus as i have in the last 5 days! i actually got sick of sleeping on the bus! But in all our long rides, i had wonderful conversations with my classmates from Pakistan, India and Singapore. I love the nations!
We were very blessed and privileged to have several of the Malaysian, public policy planners and offices to brief us and conduct presentations on what they are doing for the nation. The organisations we went to include Institute of Strategic and International Studies(ISIS), Transparency International - an international anti-corruption group, Khazanah Nasional - a govt invesment holding companyg (similar to Temasek Holdings in Singapore), Petronas, Putrajaya ( the new admin capital of M'sia), Iskandar Region Devt Authority and other organsations related to them. I must say that i knew very little of, or perhaps nothing of these groups until the visits and the brief they gave us. It was really a eye and ear opening experience!
Unfortunately, in my rushedness, i forgot to bring a camera.. so i am at the mercy of my classmates generosity in uploading the pics. Have done with what little i has so far. Check out the Pink Mosque in Putrajaya below!
Haha, such a guiltless expression while doing an act of crime. :-P
ReplyDeletewhat? fruit worth the calories? hahahaha =)
ReplyDeleteI miss home!
Is MPA harder than SWM ? I guess not for a GOld Medalist like you . Merry Xmas Ivy . Regards to Jane also .
ReplyDeletehaha no ps tito! i think each has its own challenges! I m stretched on various aspects in both of them. i remember being rather stressed out in SWM because you can't study to improve your relationship with God afterall! if you're not right with God, you're not right with Him.. can't fake a relationship! plus, u can't 'smoke' through a prophecy, counseling sesion, prayer or preaching .. ! :P
ReplyDeleteactually i realised i am very blessed and privileged to be able to hear and see what God is doing in the nations and now, what man has done and does in the nations to effectively govern society. The key is now to integrate the 2 and see God's kingdom come here on earth by influencing public policy. As for how and if i will have a role in that in the end, God only knows!
Merry Xmas to you too ps tito and to your beautiful family!!