Having recently been on a 4-country Africa tour, last week found me in another key geographical area for ACCA - Asia-Pacific.
Before going, I suspected that while the challenges in South-East Asia would be different, the enthusiasm of ACCA members and students would be the same as in Africa. I was not mistaken. Senior member engagement and the quality of our staff there are most impressive.
I started in Singapore, one of ACCA's oldest markets. After a members' meeting at the famous Raffles Hotel, I attended the graduation ceremony for students of ACCA and ICPAS, the national body with whom we have a good working relationship and a joint examination scheme. Almost 1,000 people, including guests, were present and it was real pleasure for me to spend time with the successful students and their families. They seemed genuinely appreciative that their president was there - goodness knows how many photographs were taken: the smile muscles were certainly well exercised. It really is very encouraging to see such enthusiasm and to know we have such an effective country office and committee flying the ACCA flag in Singapore.
Next, Indonesia, where I started by speaking on global standards at a doctoral colloquium and signing a Memorandum of Understanding between ACCA and the University of Indonesia at the University. This will allow colloboration on research, education, professional development and teaching infrastructure to support the delivery of ACCA study for the University graduates.We were honoured to do this in the presence of the Inspector-General of the Ministry of Finance and the president of the Indonesian Institute of Accountants (IAI) as well as key representatives from corporate and government sectors.
Next day, I launched the IFRS development programmes jointly hosted by IAI and ACCA and presented by Reza Ali from our SIngapore office. I am very hopeful that the positive commitment of IAI in this initiative marks serious co-operation between our two bodies. It hardly needs spelling out what a huge potential market Indonesia represents for ACCA, and just how much I believe we can contribute to the development of the profession there. Congratulations to our regional staff for making the breakthrough.
My trip ended in Malaysia, with employer and prizewinner events respectively at TAR College and Sunway University College, two of our platinum-approved tuition providers, where I received very warm receptions. This was followed by an event with the Malaysia Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA), another strong partner in the region, and finally an excellent graduation ceremony with 1,700 guests. I shook at least 500 enthusiastic hands, supported by local president and fellow Council member Dato Khaled Ahmed, and I felt great pride to see the next generation of ACCA finance professionals in Malaysia. Again, it seems clear our local staff and committee are doing an excellent job.
Re-inforcing relationships in two long-standing country markets and making important steps in what I hope will be a huge new one made it a very positive week. My thanks to everyone involved with this trip. As with Africa, my Asia-Pacific trip showed again the excellent quality of people and partnerships ACCA has across the world.
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