A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between Asia e University (AeU) and International Indigenous Group Institute (IIGI), New Zealand marking an important collaboration in teaching and learning, especially in the development and offering of training programmes, for indigenous groups in Asian countries.

IIGI is an institution of higher learning constituted by a collective of like minds striving for the recognition of indigenous cultural knowledge, beliefs, and principles as well as within academic institutions of the world. Member scholars represent their own indigenous cultures from Alaska, Canada, United States of America, Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand.

In attendance were Mr Manaoterangi E Forbes, Chairman, IIGI, Dr Jan Roodt, Director of Quality, Waikato Institute of Technology, Mr Anthony Raman, Director, Asia Pacific Management Development Centre Sdn Bhd, YBhg Prof Dato’ Dr Ansary Ahmed, President & CEO, AeU, YBhg Prof Dr Hairudin Harun, Deputy President, AeU, Dr Abdillah Suffian Bin Abdul Rahim, Vice President (Special Projects) & Director, School of Professional and Executive Education, AeU and senior AeU management.

In conjunction with the MOU, a series of mini talks were given by AeU’s guests. In his welcoming remarks, YBhg Prof Dato’ Dr Ansary Ahmed, President/CEO, AeU, thanked guests and business partners for their attendance and mentioned that it was an honour for AeU to collaborate with its New Zeland partners in organising the dialogue.

The first speaker, Dr Jan Roodt, Director of Quality, Middle East and African Markets at Waikato Institute of Technology (WINTEC) has been involved in managing key relationships with New Zealand Polytechnics and was the project sponsor at WINTEC for the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. He spoke on “Quality Culture in the Tertiary Sector: Next Practices” which provided an overview of quality assurance practices in New Zealand.

Mr Manaoterangi E Forbes, the Chairman of International Indigenous Group Institute gave a talk on “Indigenous Leadership: The Maori Perspective” an introduction and appreciation of indigenous leadership from the Maori, Aotearoa (New Zealand) perspective with the incorporation of some real life examples. It linked leadership with the upliftment of the indigenous family and society.

Mr Anthony Raman who has extensive experience in education and training at WINTEC spoke on “Globalisation and Business Culture” which provided insights into globalisation and business culture in the marketing activities of the education sector.