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Malaysia Stay & Build Programme

Designed for mid- to senior-level leaders seeking to broaden their perspective, engage with the challenges shaping Malaysia and Asia, drive meaningful change, and build a diverse cross-sector and international network.

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Format

In-person

Duration

10 learning days

Method

Classroom Learning & Immersive Fieldworks

Selection of past organisations

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Upcoming Cohort
Malaysia Stay & Build Programme
June 2027
Module 1: Outside-In Perspective | Classroom Learning & Abroad Immersive Fieldwork

14 - 18 June 2027
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia + Overseas (TBC)

Module 2: Insights to Action | Local Immersive Fieldwork

5 - 9 July 2027
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

About
Programme
Experience
Learning
Outcomes
Participant
Profile
Facilitators
& Speakers
Fee
Testimonials
Experiential
Project

Building Tomorrow's Malaysia

Malaysia faces complex systemic challenges that demand a new calibre of leadership, professionals equipped not merely with functional expertise but with the civilisational intelligence to understand complexity and co-create solutions. Malaysia Stay & Build (MS&B) addresses this gap by developing leaders grounded in systems thinking, foresight and stewardship, rooted in local context and purpose-driven inquiry.

Anchoring learning in real national challenges, MS&B is the only programme that integrates rigorous leadership capability with institutional stewardship and social impact. By cultivating locally grounded yet globally-minded leaders, the aspiration is that participants emerge as thought leaders, equipped to bring their perspectives on governance, innovation, and social resilience to regional forums and international dialogues.

Asraf Arif Mansor Manager, FGV

This experience has strengthened my problem-solving approach, making me more passionate, precise, and observant. I now see challenges as opportunities for growth.

“

Programme Experience

GIFT’s proprietary curriculum, learning tools and high-touch facilitation keep participants engaged and excited from start to finish.

01
Pre-Programme
02
Classroom Learning
03
Immersive Fieldworks
04
Post Programme

Development Objectives Alignment

The journey begins by aligning development goals with participants and their line managers through personalised onboarding interviews and GIFT’s Purposeful Engagement Quotient (PEQ).

Laying the Groundwork

Participants engage with carefully curated pre-reading materials that provide essential context and foundational knowledge. They also complete a written assignment designed to encourage critical thinking and personal reflection, ensuring they are well-prepared for deeper discussions.

Virtual Learning for Deeper Engagement

Through GIFT.ed—our virtual learning platform for transformation and innovation—participants engage in self-paced learning designed to lay the foundation for deeper, more meaningful engagement during the programme.

Proprietary Curriculum with regular reflection, breakouts, and guest speakers enabling participatory learning

Global Awareness

In today’s volatile operating environments, navigating global complexities demands more than a surface-level understanding. MS&B encourages participants to look beyond mainstream narratives and delve deeper into the underlying forces shaping our world.

Participants will examine the impact of globalisation on political structures, economies, and social values, while reimagining capitalism to prioritise collective well-being in a resource-constrained world. They will explore the intricate relationships among government, business, and civil society, learning to balance economic objectives with social and environmental responsibilities.

Participants will also learn to develop strategies for managing organisational externalities and examine the trade-offs and potential of technological innovations for meaningful problem solving.

The content covered in the classroom will be linked to supplementary modules in the GIFT.ed library for participants interested in exploring the themes further.

Strategic Leadership

The programme helps participants connects ‘purpose’ to ‘potential,’ unlocking greater value not only for individuals but also for organisations and society as a whole. They will learn to cultivate high-performance teams and foster a workplace culture rooted in a growth mindset. They will also develop cross-cultural and intergenerational leadership skills to effectively navigate diverse environments.

Gain firsthand perspectives through fieldwork immersion across two distinct contexts: one abroad and one in Malaysia.

Asia Immersion

Participants will gain a broader regional perspective through an immersive experience in an Asian country. By engaging with local businesses, communities, and stakeholders, they will explore how different contexts shape economic, social, and organisational realities, while challenging assumptions and broadening their understanding of the region.

Local Insights

Participants will also explore the realities closer to home through local site visits and direct engagement with communities and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. These firsthand experiences offer perspectives and insights that desktop research alone cannot provide, helping participants connect global issues with local realities.

Leadership in Action

Participants will challenge their leadership skills, adaptability, and resourcefulness by immersing themselves in high-stakes environments and unfamiliar settings with changing scenarios. They will receive direct feedback from peers and facilitators during participant-led sessions, allowing them to uncover and address any leadership blind spots.

Breakthrough Ideas

Participants will develop bold, innovative ideas that drive long-term commercial success and promote positive societal change, beyond
conventional notions of development and progress. They will generate solutions that address global challenges and foster sustainable growth, leveraging creativity and forward-thinking to make a meaningful impact.

Evaluation

Participants will receive an individual evaluation based on facilitator observations, peer feedback, interactions, and demonstrated mindsets and behaviours. The report highlights key strengths and potential blind spots and is shared with the participant, line manager, and HR to support ongoing development.

Implementation of Key Learnings

Consultations will be held with participants and line managers to discuss steps to implement key learnings in the workplace.

Continual Asynchronous Digital Learning

Participants can continue accessing GIFT.ed for one year to further deepen their insights, reinforce key concepts, and sustain meaningful engagement beyond the programme.

Learning Outcomes

1

Lead with strategic vision, courage, and competence to deliver systemic impact for sustained success.

2

Navigate the complex interplay between global forces and on-the-ground realities to develop new market insights.

3

Develop new business ideas and breakthrough innovations by challenging conventional wisdom.

4

Build connections with leaders, world-class speakers, and subject matter experts from government, business, and civil society.

5

Develop greater self-awareness with a personalised evaluation to guide your continued development and career planning.

Participant Profile

  • Mid- to senior-level leaders engaging with complex national and regional challenges.
  • Professionals across sectors including business, government, civil society and academia.
  • Leaders interested in Malaysia and Asia seeking first-hand regional perspectives.
  • Change-oriented leaders looking to drive meaningful change and build diverse networks.

Facilitators & Speakers

The programme is led by GIFT’s expert facilitators with decades of experience.

Participants will also have the opportunity to learn from distinguished domain experts and industry leaders, whose wisdom and insights will enrich the participants’ learning experience. Each cohort features a carefully curated lineup of speakers, tailored to address the specific needs of that group.



Stay tuned for the speaker announcement for the upcoming cohorts.

Chandran Nair

Founder & CEO, GIFT
Eric Stryson

Managing Director
Global Services, GIFT
Pial Khadilla

Managing Director, ASEAN

Programme Fee

MYR 60,000 / USD 15,000 per person

The fee includes all programme sessions, a curated learning track on GIFT.ed, course materials, personalised evaluation reports, accommodation, logistics, return flights between Kuala Lumpur and the overseas location, ground transport and most meals. Travel between the participant’s home/base location and Kuala Lumpur is not included.

Alumni Testimonials

Salahudin Maili Research Officer, Department of Agriculture Sabah

The design of the MS&B programme is multidimensional and well-conceived, presenting exciting and thrilling challenges that have inspired me in various ways. The programme showed me that knowledge, good communication skills, and empathy are keys to being an effective leader in this VUCA world.

“

Josephine Chin Manager, General Counsel & CoSec, Maybank Berhad

This programme has not only helped me become more conscious of the issues surrounding our society but most importantly, our role in making a positive impact and change towards a sustainable future.

“

Bu Su Jing
EHS Services Manager, BASF Malaysia

The programme perfectly linked the leadership theory with a challenging yet practical project. It created a platform to connect the leaders from diverse background to share their experience and collaborate in developing the country which showing the importance of diversity and inclusion especially in the our country, Malaysia.

“

Immersive Fieldworks: Global Inspiration & Local Solution

In Module 2, participants will learn through two immersive fieldworks that challenge them to see business and societal issues from multiple perspectives.

Through immersive fieldwork in an Asian country, they will gain first-hand insights into different business, social and economic realities and explore how others are responding to complex challenges. Through local immersive fieldwork, they will deepen their understanding of local realities, engage with different stakeholders, and explore how business decisions can create both commercial and socio-economic value.

Through these experiences, participants will develop new ways of thinking, strengthen their ability to navigate complexity, and translate global insights into locally relevant solutions for more inclusive and sustainable prosperity.

Explore 2024 MS&B Project Report

Advancing Malaysia Through High-Quality Development

View Report

Let’s discuss how your organisation can benefit from our Malaysia Stay & Build Programme

We are here to support you. Get in touch with us to learn more about how our leadership framework and learning methodology can elevate your leadership teams and equip them with the knowledge and tools to drive your organisation forward.












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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Who is the Malaysia Stay & Build Programme designed for?

    The Malaysia Stay & Build Programme (MS&B) is designed for mid- to senior-level leaders across business, government, civil society and academia who want to broaden their understanding of Malaysia and Asia, engage with complex national and regional challenges, and explore how they can contribute to meaningful change.

    Today’s complex challenges require leaders who can navigate uncertainty, see beyond their own organisations, and understand the systems shaping business and society. MS&B goes beyond traditional executive education by bringing participants closer to the realities of change through immersive learning, diverse perspectives and real-world experiences.

    Through a combination of classroom learning and fieldworks (abroad and local), participants develop new ways of thinking, strengthen their ability to navigate complexity, and gain practical insights they can apply in their organisations and communities.

    MS&B is a 10-day journey delivered across two five-day modules.

    Module 1 combines interactive classroom learning with immersive fieldwork in an Asian country, guided by GIFT’s proprietary curriculum. Participants engage in thought-provoking discussions, reflections, case studies and perspectives from practitioners and guest speakers, before applying their learning in a different regional context.

    Module 2 focuses on local immersive fieldwork, giving participants first-hand exposure to the realities facing communities, businesses and other stakeholders. They will engage with different perspectives, explore complex real-world challenges, and apply what they have learned to develop new ideas and approaches that can create both commercial and socio-economic value.

    Have more questions? Reach out to us—we’d love to help!

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