Last month I had the chance to pack my bags and head to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, and what an experience it was! While it was definitely a work trip, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t also enjoy a little exploring along the way.

Catching Up with National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH)

The purpose of the trip? To visit NIOSH, one of the Centres we work with in Malaysia, and deliver face-to-face training on our e-assessment platform Quartzweb. I got to spend time with the team at NIOSH, see their facilities, and hear directly from them about how they’ve been using Quartzweb. It was a perfect opportunity to see how our tools are being applied on the ground, as well as to look at ways we can improve things moving forward.

Upon arrival, I was warmly welcomed by Ming, one of our fantastic contacts at NIOSH. Ming was incredibly accommodating, ensuring that I was settled in and that everything went smoothly throughout my stay. From co-ordinating the logistics of the training sessions, to making sure I had everything I needed, Ming truly went above and beyond to look after me. It's always a pleasure working with such dedicated professionals who make collaboration so seamless and enjoyable.

The trip gave me a chance to see firsthand how dedicated NIOSH are to delivering top-notch training to their learners. Their enthusiasm and passion for what they do really stood out.

Getting Down to Training

Quartzweb is a core tool we use to track registrations, qualifications and manage learners’ progress, so it’s super important for the teams we work with to understand how it works and how to make the most of it.

I spent time going through the system, showing off its features, and answering questions—everything from basic setup to more advanced reporting tools. It's always nice to see how quickly people catch on and start getting excited about the possibilities once they get the hang of it.

Exploring Malaysia (and Eating Everything in Sight!)

Now, let’s talk about the other side of the trip—Malaysia itself. If you’ve never been, let me tell you, it’s a beautiful country with so much to offer. Between training sessions, I made sure to squeeze in some time to explore, from the incredible Petronas towers to the bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur.

The food? Incredible. I couldn’t get enough of the local dishes like Nasi Lemak, a coconut rice dish and Laksa, a spicy noodle soup that packs a punch. I also loved the blend of cultures—Malay, Chinese, Indian, and more—all coming together to create such a rich and unique atmosphere.

And let’s not forget the people. Everyone I met was so welcoming and kind, and I really appreciated the chance to learn more about their culture. It was such a nice reminder of how global our work is, and how much we all share a passion for improving education, no matter where we’re based.

Looking Ahead

After spending a week in Malaysia, I left feeling inspired and energised. The trip was a reminder of why I love what I do—whether it’s working with training providers to improve how we support learners, helping people get to grips with new tech, or just connecting with like-minded professionals around the world. I’m already looking forward to continuing to build these relationships with our international partners.

Overall, it was an unforgettable trip, blending work and exploration in the best possible way. I’m grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to see what’s next on the horizon for NOCN Group and our amazing training providers around the globe!

That’s a wrap on my Malaysia trip recap. Hope you enjoyed reading about it as much as I enjoyed being there!