Ivan Zhakata — The Malaysian Embassy in Zimbabwe through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) has partnered with the Zimbabwe Open University to provide a sign language short course at the university.

Mr Aniff Fauzi, Charge d Affaires of the embassy, attended the closing ceremony of the sign language course organised by MTCP Zimbabwe Alumni Association in collaboration with ZOU in Bindura.

The programme ran from March 18 to 21 and involved more than 30 participants.

Speaking at the closing ceremony on Friday, Mr Fauzi said the MTCP was established in 1980 as Malaysia's contribution to the south-south co-operation initiative.

MTCP was conducted through the sharing of Malaysia's development experiences and expertise with other developing countries.

"To date, 387 Zimbabwean officials have benefited from a variety of courses offered under the MTCP," Mr Fauzi said.

"These courses, among others, include diplomacy, management, good governance, SME development, education, and public administration. The MTCP Zimbabwe Alumni Association was established in Zimbabwe in 2006 with the patronage of the embassy in Harare.

"The Sign Language course is the first programme of the year following the successful collaboration with Transparency International Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission on an anti-corruption awareness workshop in November 2022. Through this collaboration, it will provide a platform for the MTCP alumni to share knowledge and experiences for the mutual benefit of the two countries."

Mr Fauzi said the MTCP Zimbabwe Alumni Association was ready to explore other mutually beneficial courses that would share Malaysia's developmental experiences in Zimbabwe in support of the national development agenda.

"This is also in line with the MTCP Zimbabwe Alumni Associaton slogan: Joining hands with the people and the whole nation."

The event was attended by Ms Lucia Janami, deputy director of Economic Affairs representing the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland Central, Captain (Rtd) Christopher Magomo, regional director Zimbabwe Open University Professor Cuthbert Majoni, and the executive committee of MTCP Zimbabwe Alumni Association chaired by Mr Cornwell Tumbare.