LONDON: More than four decades after studying at Henley Business School, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has returned to the campus, this time with a new mission.
As part of his official working visit to the United Kingdom, Abang Johari announced a new initiative to send Sarawak civil service officers for executive training programs at Henley Business School, University of Reading, and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
He said that the initiative aims to provide mid-level officers with international exposure in leadership and management, aligning with current governance demands.
“We are proposing a collaboration between both institutions and the Sarawak government to run executive programs that will train and expose our civil service officers — particularly those at the mid-career level.
“This is to help them adapt to changes in management and working methods, which have evolved significantly,” he said during his visit to the Henley campus on Tuesday (local time).
Abang Johari noted that Henley Business School offers a ‘Leadership 5.0’ programme, which is highly relevant today as it focuses on future leadership strategies and the use of cutting-edge technologies.
Initially, at least three officers will be sent each year, either through open international programmes or customised courses tailored to Sarawak’s needs.
“I’ll leave it to the civil service and the Sarawak State Secretary to determine the number of participants annually,” he said.
“Perhaps we’ll send three officers this year, and another three next year, to establish a more structured collaboration with Henley Business School.”
The visit was also a deeply personal one for the Premier, marking a nostalgic return to the institution where he once studied over 40 years ago.
Adding to the sentimental value, he was accompanied by his daughter and two granddaughters, with whom he shared memories of his student days.
He even took a train ride from Reading Station to Paddington Station — a route he often traveled during his student years in London.
Also accompanying him on the visit were Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee; State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; State Attorney-General Datuk Seri Saferi Ali; Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning & Development) Datuk Seri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel; and Premier’s Chief Political Secretary Datuk Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman.
