Alumni Networking Event

It gives me great pleasure, with Kaye, to join you for tonight’s networking event, and I at once thank our High Commissioner for generously hosting us all.

First and foremost, tonight is a celebration of the immensely beneficial education links which enliven and give strength and substance to the Malaysia-Queensland relationship.

We are especially glad to have so many Malaysian alumni of Queensland universities here.

I thank and congratulate you on your decision to undertake your studies in our State. The people of Queensland regarded your presence in our State as an enriching experience, as they do of the presence of the more than 3,000 Malaysians currently studying in Queensland.  

Your attendance here tonight suggests that our State also provided something of real value to you.

Kaye and I are equally glad to welcome tonight some of the more than 820 Australians who since 2015 have studied, or are currently studying, in Malaysia under the New Colombo Plan.

These educational exchanges form a very special part of the Malaysia-Queensland relationship, and it is my sincere hope that the benefits of those important exchanges will continue to extend into your professional and personal lives, for the betterment of our bilateral relations and the prosperity of the wider ASEAN region. 

Tonight provides us with a memorable opportunity to reaffirm those existing relationships, and to forge new connections. 

The Queensland Government’s recently appointed Director of International Business for Singapore and Malaysia, Mr John Osborn, is here to speak to anyone interested in exploring opportunities in our established bilateral strengths in the natural resources, tourism, education, agriculture, and, increasingly, innovation sectors – the latter evidenced by the upcoming visit to Queensland’s flagship Myriad innovation festival of Mr Syed Nabil, whom I will have the pleasure of meeting tomorrow.

As the Queensland city of the Gold Coast prepares to host in May Badminton’s Sudirman Cup, and next year, the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Mr Osborn is also here to promote opportunities to combine sport and business during visits to Queensland.

I thank the Australian High Commission here in Malaysia for hosting tonight’s reception, and I commend its officers for identifying and inviting such a dynamic group.

Kaye and I extend to you all an open invitation to return to Queensland, as we seek to build upon already excellent Malaysia-Queensland relations, underpinned as they are by the types of peer-to-peer relationships we seek to foster and recognise tonight. Thank you.