Nancy Arnett

Vice President, Mid Atlantic Region, Eurest Dining Services (EDS), USA & EDS-GULL corporate business school leader. Speaking in the Accenture boardroom (EDS client) Reston, Washington DC, USA, 15 September, 2008.

Mark Maloney

President, Eastern Region, Eurest Dining Services (EDS), USA & EDS-GULL corporate business school champion. Speaking in the Accenture boardroom (EDS client) Reston, Washington DC, USA, 15 September, 2008.

Sir Adrian Cadbury

On 5 August 2008, Sir Adrian Cadbury, a former Chairman of Cadbury Schweppes and Director of the Bank of England (1970-1994) wrote: ‘I believe that action learning is one of the most effective ways of responding to the many challenges faced by developing Nations. In providing lifelong learning opportunities for all it should be possible to secure a more inclusive and equitable role for those who have not benefited from traditional forms of education.’

Office of the Prime Minister of Malaysia English / Malay

On 15 July 2008, Dato’ Suhaimi Bin Ibrahim, Political Secretary to the Prime Minister of Malaysia wrote: ‘I am very pleased to fully endorse the training for employment programme [to reduce the unemployment rate, especially among graduates] and hope its implementation receives the full cooperation of the relevant parties’.

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

On 14 July 2008, Dr John Peters, Chief Executive, Emerald Group Publishing wrote: ‘I am delighted to endorse the work that GULL is undertaking and we trust that you will succeed in your efforts to provide learning and development opportunities for the many who have until now, been excluded due to lack of funds, entry qualifications and access to institutions for learning.’

Practical Education and Gender Support (PEGS)

On 30 June 2008, Dr Scarlett Epstein OBE, Director PEGS (a UK registered Charity) wrote: ‘We are convinced that GULL’s practical and professional approach, coupled with recognized certification and lifelong learning will enhance our work in skills transfer and rural enterprise. It will also encourage on-going personal skill and professional development among our stakeholders.’

Endorsement in the Training Journal (TJ) the publication for learning & development

Writing in his regular column (July 2008) Dr Peter Honey notes that GULL has already taken off in Papua New Guinea and Malaysia, with hearty endorsements at Government level, and backing from the World Bank is imminent. He concludes that: ‘GULL is the one to watch. Find out about their work at www.gullonline.org’

Minister of Human Resources, Malaysia

In a videograph recorded on 28 April 2008, Y. B. Datuk Dr. S. Subramaniam, concludes: ‘[GULL’s corporate school initiative] will help to meet your current and future human capital base requirements and at the same time, it will increase employability, reduce unemployment, increase productivity and help to ensure that our workforce is globally competitive.’

Value Hospitality Group, Malaysia

In a videograph recorded on 28 April 2008, Mr John Augustin, Regional General Manager, explains: ‘… [our] managers are advancing their learning and professionalism and will receive a certificate [from GULL] that confirms that they know what they are doing. I’m happy because I can see that their performance in the company has improved – they have raised the bar!’

Minister for National Planning & District Development, Papua New Guinea

On 16 April, 2008, The Hon. Paul Tiensten wrote: ‘I am writing to formally request World Bank funding … Our sole supplier for what will be a major, sustained initiative is GULL, recently established with the full support and recognition of the Government of Papua New Guinea. Our objective is to empower the PNG Public Service to find solutions to the challenges we face by enabling every public servant to participate.’

State Minister of Industrial Development, Sabah, Malaysia English / Malay

On 27 March 2008, Datuk Ewon Ubin wrote: ‘…one of the objectives outlined by the Sabah State Government is to develop our industrial sector. In this respect, I am confident that GULL’s lifelong action learning programme will assist students to obtain training that meets their needs and at the same time, fulfils the relevant needs of industry.’

National SME Council (NASMEC), Malaysia English / Malay

On 12 February 2008, Dato’ Chua Jui Meng wrote: ‘[GULL’s] concept of lifelong learning is needed to assist with the integration of the latest competencies and knowledge in all disciplines and to enable us to secure continual development. NASMEC…fully supports GULL’s programmes and…[the] many benefits for the small and medium enterprises in our country.’

Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Malaysia English / Malay

On 5 February 2008, Datuk Ong Tee Keat wrote: ‘I appreciate and congratulate your efforts in implementing the GULL internship programme in collaboration with local private institutions of higher education. This programme will assist students to obtain industrial training and related GULL professional qualifications while undergoing relevant industrial training.’

Minister of Human Resources, Malaysia English / Malay

On 30 January 2008, Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn wrote: ‘...by establishing their own corporate schools, our national industries will benefit from teams of knowledge workers who are culturally competitive...I urge management in all industries to establish their own corporate school [using the GULL system] as part of their initiative to upgrade their organizational productivity and competitiveness.’

Deputy Minister of Youth & Sports, Malaysia English / Malay

On 16 January 2008, Dato’ Liow Tiong Lai wrote: ‘In this era of globalisation, our country is in great need of a large number of educated and talented youth who will takeover the responsibility of leadership and development of Malaysia…The [GULL] programme is suitable for our youth as the mode of learning is flexible, innovative and far sighted.’

Former Governor General of Jamaica

In a videograph recorded on 20 February 2008 at the home of Sir Howard Cooke, the former Governor General of Jamaica (1991-2006), Sir Howard speaks about the importance of an integrated approach to developing skills for life and for work. He advocates lifelong learning for all and believes that this is the way to ‘unlock the talent in every person’.

President, Chamber of Commerce, Montego Bay, Jamaica

In a videograph recorded on 18 February 2008, Ms Pauline Reid the serving President, Chamber of Commerce, Montego Bay, Jamaica reflects on the importance of professionalism and the process of self-directed learning that will help Jamaica to prepare for a single Caribbean market.

World Bank

‘GULL's approach will help those who have had limited opportunity to be courageous in expressing their views.’ Mr Benson Ateng, Country Manager, World Bank (Papua New Guinea, East Asia & Pacific Region) speaking at the formal launch of GULL, on 5 October 2007, State Function Room, Parliament House, Papua New Guinea.