By WONG CHUN WAI
LONDON: The London School of Economics (LSE) is a landmark at Houghton Street here.
There are plenty of good reasons – it is regarded as the greatest institution in the world dedicated to social sciences.
Its alumni and staff include 14 Nobel Prize winners in economics, peace and literature.
Then, there are the big names like billionaire George Soros, US president John F. Kennedy and Britain’s first lady Cherie Blair.
Even Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger is listed among its celebrities. He had reportedly studied economics there.
At the Malaysian level, AirAsia boss Datuk Tony Fernandes and MAS chairman Datuk Dr Munir Majid are LSE graduates.
There is even a brilliant Malaysian professor, Danny Quah, who lectures at the university.
On Tuesday, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi visits the 115-year old university.
He will present cheques by the Malaysian private sector, to the university for the setting up of the Malaysia Room.
It will be in this room where studies, discussions and debates on Malaysia will be carried out.
Dr Munir said thousands of Malaysians had graduated from the LSE and relations between LSE and Malaysia started even before University Malaya was set up.
He said there were more than 160 Malaysians studying at LSE each time.
Pak Lah, who arrives here today for a three-day working visit before flying to Davos for the World Economic Forum on Tuesday, will also be making a trip to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) here.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to speak on issues concerning the West and Islam at the internationally renowned British think-tank.
Since he is the Organisation of Islamic Conference head, a full house is expected at the talk where many academia would want to hear his views on Islam.
Malaysian High Commissioner Datuk Abdul Aziz Mohamed said: “The conference will be a useful forum for the Prime Minister to address issues such as the clash of civilisations (between the West and Islam).”
While the LSE has a tradition for alternative views, given its Fabian background and left-leaning tendency, the IISS is a more conservative outfit.
It enjoys a reputation as the world’s leading authority for research on political-military conflict.
Founded in 1958, the IISS is regarded as influential and powerful with its views on global military and international affairs taken seriously by leaders.
Abdullah’s presence in these two great institutions is surely a boost to his image as an international leader.
At a time when Islam is seen in negative light, and even with suspicion in some European countries, Abdullah’s focus on goodwill and understanding will surely help create better inter-civilisation dialogue.
Organisers of the forum here expect a full house at both the functions.
Abdullah is expected to speak on the same issue at Davos, where journalist Thomas Friedman, the author of The World Is Flat, is expected to share the stage with the Prime Minister.
