AIAC Academy promises the nation's continuous development of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
KUALA LUMPUR - Establishment of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) Academy reflects the fraternity’s commitment towards a continuous and sustainable development of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) field.
Prime Minister's Department (Parliament And Law) Deputy Minister Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said through the academy, the ADR community would have access to first class innovative, dynamic, practical and comprehensive skills-based programmes.
She said the community would be equipped with specific industry know-hows and practical knowledge that would go a long way in assisting their role as counsels, arbitrators and adjudicators in these proceedings.
The academy’s launch, she said, was timely as the ADR sector required more professionals in the area especially when the nation faces testing times.
"Given the recent flood tragedies, we can anticipate that more and more proceedings will be brought forth to the courts. Professionals are crucial to resolve the disputes,” she said in her speech during the launching ceremony on Tuesday.
She added that she was confident that AIAC would be able to strive in the ADR education domestically and internationally.
"I am confident that through the AIAC Academy, the AIAC will break new grounds in ADR education in Malaysia and beyond, and I am hopeful that we will see a greater use of ADR as the preferred dispute resolution route, with Malaysia becoming the preferred ADR destination in the region," she said.
AIAC is a not-for-profit, non-governmental international arbitral institution that has been accorded independence and certain privileges and immunities by the Malaysian government for the purposes of executing its functions as an independent and international organisation.
It was established in accordance to the host country agreement between Malaysia and Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) in 1978.
The launch was held at Bangunan Sulaiman, formerly known as Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration (KLRCA), one of Malaysia's most iconic heritage building.
Formerly known as the Malaysia can look forward to its future of arbitration as AIAC is an organization with a proven track record for the provision of world-class institutional support as a neutral and independent venue for the conduct of domestic and international arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings.
This landmark event was hosted by the Director of the AIAC, Tan Sri Datuk Suriyadi bin Halim Omar and featured the newly elected Rector of the AIAC Academy, Tun Richard Malanjum who provided supporting remarks during the launch.
Approximately 70 participants including members of the AIAC Academy Faculty Board, AIAC Academy Tutor Panel, judges, ADR practitioners, private sector professionals, and government officials attended the launch physically at the AIAC’s Bangunan Sulaiman.
The launch, which was carried out in a hybrid setting, also saw a global audience of more than 250 participants tuning in virtually via Zoom.
As part of the launch event, a panel discussion titled, “To Learn and Re-learn: Continuing ADR Education as the Way Forward” was held featuring Dato’ Varghese George and Ir. Harbans Singh KS as speakers, who shared their experiences and views on the importance of continuous ADR education.
The session was moderated by the AIAC’s Ms. Nivvy Venkatraman and served as a perfect platform in setting the tone for the AIAC Academy’s goals for the year ahead.
