UYLC 2017 VIPs, sponsors and participants after the opening ceremony
Over 120 undergraduates from seven universities converged at UTAR Kampar
Campus for the inaugural University Young Leaders Conference (UYLC) 2017
from 27 to 29 October 2017.
Attended by students from UTAR, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College
(TAR UC), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), International
Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), International Medical University
(IMU), Raffles University Iskandar, and Universiti Tenaga Nasional
(UNITEN), the conference themed “21st Century
Skills for Today’s Youth” aimed to enrich the participants’ thinking and
perspectives towards contemporary world issues and promote student
engagement through active learning.
Invited to officiate the UYLC 2017 on 28 October was Deputy Minister of
Finance Dato’ Lee Chee Leong who was accompanied by UTAR President Ir
Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik and UTAR Vice President for
Student Development and Alumni Relations-cum-UYLC 2017 Organising
Chairperson Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong. Also present were Mah Sing
Group’s Head of People Chen Fong Tuan as UYLC 2017 keynote speaker and
UTAR Kampar Campus Student Representative Council 2017 Chairperson Yap
Wah Seng.
Speaking of the importance of developing soft skills in order to ride
the waves of the ongoing Fourth Industrial Revolution, Prof Chuah said,
“There have been talks that by 2022, about 9% of the existing jobs will
disappear and then by 2050, about 55% of them. It is therefore essential
that in addition to the technical knowledge and skills you have, you
will also need to learn soft skills that build your capability as future
leaders such as decision-making based on facts and proper judgment;
negotiation; adaptability and flexibility; and entrepreneurial skills.”
Prof Chuah also added that having cultural intelligence in the 21st century
will also give one an edge in a globalised world.
Prof Chuah commending the UYLC 2017 Organising Committee on their effort
Reminding the participants on the need for more responsive and
responsible leaders following the advent of our world’s cutting-edge
technologies, Dato’ Lee said the society needs leaders who not only
address real-world challenges through meaningful and sustainable ways
but also help the society in engaging with global affairs to remain
united, prosperous and progressive. “As Malaysia aspires to move up the
value chain to become a high-income economy, the Malaysian Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) will have to grow at an average rate of 6% per
annum until 2020. To realise the aspiration, it is a must to increase
Technical Education and Vocational Training (TVET) enrolment in
producing a skilled workforce,” mentioned Dato’ Lee, who also expressed
his delight that UYLC 2017 imparts essential knowledge and skills needed
for the 21st century
which help to develop effective leadership skills and qualities.
Dato’ Lee thanking the organising committee for the invitation
As a platform that enriches budding leaders through the development of
effective leadership skills and qualities, the three-day conference saw
the participants gaining insights through keynote address titled
“Preparing Youths for the 21st Century
Workforce” by Chen as well as talks, namely “From An Accountant to An
Entrepreneur” by 6Biz Avenue CEO and Founder Dato’ Vimmy Yap and “Skills
to be Entrepreneurs: Management of People” by inTalent HR Consulting Sdn
Bhd Consulting Director Sean Lee Chang Sern.
Chen engaging with the participants during his keynote address
Talks by Dato’ Yap (left) and Lee
Also encouraging brainstorming session amongst the participants and
providing them some hands-on practices were the parallel workshops such
as “People Engagement Leadership” by Quantum Dynamic Human Development’s
Ng Thian Watt; “The Power of Influence, Engagement and Negotiation” by
Global Business and HRD Consulting Practice’s Senior Business Consultant
Dr Timothy Low; “Critical Thinking” by UTAR Department of Estates and
Facilities (Kampar Campus) Head-cum-Professional Engineer and HRDF
Certified Trainer Ir Abdul Majid bin Mohd Gani; and “Community
Development and Social Entrepreneurship” by Assoc Prof Albert Teo Chu
Ying.
Parallel workshops conducted by (clockwise from top left) Majid, Dr
Law, Assoc Prof Teo, Ng
Further intensifying the discussion and broadening the participants’
horizon on mining opportunities for success in the 21st century
was a forum titled “Digital Economics for 21st Century”.
The forum saw Digital Transformation LifeTech Solutions Sdn Bhd Director
and Advisor Chu Hong Keong, SnT Global Sdn Bhd Founder and CEO as well
as Outsourcing Malaysia co-founder and Emeritus Chairman David Wong Nan
Fay, Agmo Studio Sdn Bhd Founder and CEO as well as President of Mobile
App Developer Association Tan Aik Keong, HostAStay Chief Technology
Officer Janson Chah, and iPay88 Sdn Bhd Head of Marketing Calvin Yeap as
panelists.
Panelists of the “Digital Economics for 21st Century”
Forum
From left: Assoc Prof Teo, Wong, Prof Choong, Tan, Chu, Chah and Yeap
To UTAR Kampar Campus SRC Chairperson Yap, the prospects of meeting
like-minded participants and learning from innovative industry leaders
motivated him to join UYLC 2017. Also echoing his sentiment was Raffles
University Iskandar student Tham Winnie. “The idea of learning from
different speakers from different backgrounds with different exposure
and ideas encouraged me to attend the conference,” explained the
Accountancy undergraduate.
UNITEN students Salendra Satianesan and Nik Muhamad Mirza Hilam bin
Baderolsham regarded the experience of meeting, knowing and sharing
experiences with the budding young leaders as fulfilling and
eye-opening. According to UTAR Psychology student Ann Marie Gomez, the
workshops she attended were also filled with quizzes and exercises which
deepened her understanding on the topic and most importantly, applied
the things learnt there and then in some case studies.
UYLC 2017 officially came to an end on 29 October with Prof Choong
delivering his closing ceremony speech and thanking the line-up of
speakers, conference participants and organising committee. “The
punctuality shown by our participants in attending workshops early in
the morning reflects their commitment and eagerness to learn more about
self-improvement skills. I’m also glad that the conference has fulfilled
its objective of giving clear directions, guidelines and backgrounds of
skills required to excel in the 21st century.
I hope that the lessons you have learnt here will help you to achieve
breakthrough success in the future,” encouraged Prof Choong, who also
suggested the idea of alternating the conference between UTAR Kampar
Campus and UTAR Sungai Long Campus in the following years, thus offering
the conference participants an experience of learning either at Kampar's
award-winning campus or Sungai Long's iconic purpose-built city campus.
Prof Choong expressing his delight over the encouraging turnout
The VIPs, speakers, forum panelists and conference participants after
the closing ceremony
UYLC 2017 was sponsored by ICONIX Talent Network, MBSA Mercedez-Benz
Melaka, Rich Art Print & Pack Sdn Bhd, Kim Chow Communicators Sdn Bhd,
Rajawali Seroja Sdn Bhd, Danish House, Top Glove, IJM Corporation
Berhad, D’Touch International and Spritzer.
Conference participants interacting with the speakers during the talks
Participants brainstorming ideas and presenting proposals during the
workshops
Conference participants posing questions during talks and workshops