STUDENTS ABROAD URGED TO FORGE CLOSER TIES WITH LOCALS

From Yong Soo Heong

RABAT (Morocco), Jan 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's Information Minister Ahmad
Shabery Cheek Tuesday reminded all Malaysian students abroad to use their
studying opportunity to foster closer ties with the local students and
community.

Speaking at a function with Malaysian students here, he said they must
also make an effort to understand the local history and culture as well as
master foreign languages, which will be an advantage to them when socialising
among the international community.

Ahmad Shabery said networking with the local community was also important
for graduates when they joined the working world later.

Some 70 students attended the function held at the residence of the
Malaysian Ambassador to Morocco, Othman Samin. Also present were
the president of the Malaysian Students' Association in Morocco, Ahmad Fathi
Muhammad and the head of the Malaysian community in Morocco, Baharin Ayob.

Before arriving here to participate in the 8th Islamic Conference of
Information Ministers Meeting (ICIM) organised under auspices of the
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) from Jan 25-28, Ahmad Shabery had
called on Malaysia's Ambassador to France, S. Thanarajasingam, in Paris
to identify steps that could be taken to enhance bilateral ties.

Thanarajasingam noted that Malaysia-France ties were on a very strong
footing.

He expressed the hope that more Malaysian leaders would come to France often
to forge closer ties with their respective counterparts.

-- BERNAMA