CABINET HAS BIG PLANS FOR PUTRAJAYA FOI - ZAMBRY

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- A Cabinet Committee will be formed to ensure the Putrajaya Festival of Ideas (Putrajaya FOI) evolves into a major national programme, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.

He said the decision on this was made during today’s Cabinet meeting, and that the committee will be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“After the Prime Minister officiated Putrajaya FOI yesterday and saw the overwhelming response, the Cabinet has decided to set up a Cabinet Committee (on it),” he said.

Zambry told this to the media after the closing ceremony of the three-day Putrajaya FOI, which began on Nov 27 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here.

He noted that the formation of the committee would facilitate coordination among various ministries and agencies, thus positioning Putrajaya FOI as a large-scale initiative.

“Malaysia holds an international standing with the organisation of Putrajaya FOI. Numerous programmes were organised over the three days, including a career fair and student engagement,” he said.

Zambry added that the ideas presented during the festival would be further deliberated, with a report submitted to the Cabinet to ensure these ideas are incorporated into government efforts for national development and progress.

The inaugural Putrajaya FOI, hosted by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), attracted over 100,000 visitors, underscoring the enthusiasm of youth for programmes spanning various disciplines, including science and the arts.

The initiative serves as a crucial step in making ideas and higher education accessible on a larger scale, while promoting Malaysia as a hub for intellectual discourse and innovation in the regional and global arena.

-- BERNAMA