Testimonials | ||
Testimonial from HE Mr Love Mtesa , High Commissioner for Zambia In my position as High Commissioner, I had to look at a number of institutions of high learning to determine which one offered the best training for both serving diplomats and those wishing to obtain good qualifications in Diplomatic Studies. The Diplomatic Academy of London at the University of Westminster was to me, as an eye opener . It is therefore no wonder that the Academy has students not only from Britain but from about sixty other countries covering all the continents of the world. One advantage that the University has probably over many other institutions of high learning in training diplomats is the effective combination of theory and practice. The simulation exercises, regular contacts with key players whether senior government officials in Britain or High Commissioners/Ambassadors resident in London and the guided visits to other important centres like Brussels and Geneva all make graduates leave the University well equipped as if they had the necessary experience - __________________ DAL alumnus H E Mr N Nurobaravu ,Former Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Having attended the Course, I wish to take this opportunity to express my gratitude and appreciation to the Diplomatic Academy of London for the most rewarding experience, both intellectually and socially. The high academic standards of the institution are challenging and most useful for equipping both the practising and aspiring diplomat with appropriate skills and knowledge required in the diplomatic profession. For the practising diplomat, the Course offers the unique opportunity for reinforcing professional skills required in the diplomatic profession while, at the same time, enhancing one's understanding of conceptual approaches to diplomacy and related disciplines. This dual emphasis is indispensable, in my view, for the formation of the international diplomat. The guidance and expertise, knowledge of lecturers and eminent speakers at the Academy, coupled with exposures to practical aspects of diplomacy, serve to prepare aspiring diplomats in understanding the nature of different responsibilities and functions entailed and to relate to challenges involved in the profession as a whole. This orientation is most useful from the point of view of developing states like my own, Vanuatu. Participation by distinguished colleagues from different parts of the world, both developed and developing countries provides an important dimension of the Course. Exchanging of experiences and ideas with other participating colleagues has enriched my own understanding of their perspectives and respective countries, and I would like to think that person-to-person contacts established during the Course can be lasting and useful in the future. It is on the basis of these experiences and observations that I would have no hesitation in recommending the Course to anyone”. HE Alexander Piletsky, Ambassador of Belize to Austria, Croatia, Netherlands and Slovenia, ...I am pleased to report that successfully completing my education and presenting my dissertation allowed me to be promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belize to full Ambassadorship...My participation in your programme allowed me to build up a network within the diplomatic community. HE Chris Grima, Malteese Ambassador of Malta I was pleasantly surprised at how directly relevant much of the course work is to my duties, for instance in the running of a diplomatic mission and on matters of protocol, not to mention the discipline of management, without which a diplomat cannot be truly successful... I would recommend the course both for those in the service and for those wishing to know more about diplomatic practice and related disciplines. HE Dr Damir Kusen, Croatian Ambassador “Dear Professor Ayad DAL alumna Ms Carla Jazzar, Deputy Head of Mission, Lebanese Embassy “I am writing to you to express my gratitude for the two years of MA studies at the Diplomatic Academy of London. They were of the utmost importance and help in my career as a diplomat. They’ve allowed me first to obtain a quick promotion since, directly afterwards, I was appointed as Deputy Permanent Delegate of Lebanon at United Nations Education Sciences and Culture Organisation known as UNESCO. That was actually my second posting abroad. Secondly, these studies provided me with the real possibility of interacting in an international community since all students came from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds. Finally it sensibilised me to new issues, such as technology and management which proved to be essential for any modern diplomat.
DAL alumna Ms Tanya L Cole, Commercial Attaché, US Commercial Service, US Embassy, Bogotá ‘My experience at DAL was truly rewarding in that it prepared me for the political and cultural challenges of working as a diplomat inside a high level security U.S. Embassy post. The DAL courses taught by actual diplomats provided real life scenarios for proactive and immediate decision-making and damage control. Additionally, the team project exercises and challenges working with various nationalities, age groups and experience bases prepared me for focused participation in the Ambassador’s county team meetings, and trade negotiations and bilateral advocacy meetings with ministries and heads of states. I regularly draw upon my management and diversity training at DAL in my day-to -day management of the local Embassy staff and interactions with the political, military and public relation sections in the Embassy and the private sector multinationals. I know this DAL training will be an asset for my next post at the African Development Bank.’ Dal Alumnus HE Dr Jeroboam Shaanika , Deputy Head of Department of Multilateral Relations, The Diplomatic Academy of London has enabled me to view the global outlook from different lenses of analyses. Prior to my diplomatic studies, I used to view the world through a diplomatic mirror, during my studies, I learnt how to secure vantage point from where to take a best photo shot of the globe. Information Technology was not my best top of discussion, but now I have become a technophile. The Diplomatic Academy is pathfinder for those diplomats who whish to explore new diplomatic landscape of the 21st century, to survive in the 21st century landscape, we have to possess the knowledge and skills of how to use its road maps. The Diplomatic Academy is the best institution to provide modern diplomats with skills and knowledge. In the 21st century and third millennium, there is no doubt that survival of the fittest will become a rule rather than exception. The contradictions resulting from coexistence of several value systems will require an in depth analyses of international security of the 21st century. Besides Academic progression, my diplomatic career also progressed, after obtaining an MA in diplomatic studies I was posted to the Namibian Embassy in Paris as Deputy head of Mission and Deputy Permanent Delegate to UNESCO. The Diplomatic Academy of London provides tools to enable diplomats to tame the many headed global hydra monster. DAL alumnus Dr Paul Aranas, Field Coordinator, 2008 Ralph Nader US Presidential Campaign, Chicago, IL 2006 Green Party Nominee, US House of Representatives, Oregon 5th District The Diplomatic Academy of London is an institution of higher learning that encourages open and vigorous debate on the most pressing issues of our time. It allowed my colleagues and me to fully express ourselves and to learn not only by formal instruction but through dialogue, the foundation for all diplomacy. The opportunities to visit international institutions added depth, color, and vitality to the theories, which we studied. These interesting and enjoyable events gave me firsthand knowledge of how these bodies function and only added to my ommitment to remain active and informed about global politics, international law, and human rights issues. Testimonials from individulas and groups (PDF files). Please click to read in detail. Testimonials from Alumni of the Diplomatic Academy of London > > Testimonial from Major Dr. Mohammed Al Breiki, Police Attache Officer, Abu Dhabi Police >> Testimonial from Foreign Minister of Romania >> Testimonial from Mr. Tuleutai Suleimenov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan >> Testimonial from Ambassador Bozo Cerar, currently ambassador to the USA >> Testimonial from Graduate School of Internatinal Studies, University of Birmingham >> Testimonial from Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland >> Testimonial from Mr L M Tait CMG LVO . Head of Eastern Department >> |
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