UTAR LEAD Leadership Camp

UTAR LEAD Leadership Camp 2017 once again saw its success with about 50 student participants coming together to strike a balance between experiential learning and fun outside the classroom as part of its mission towards achieving an all-rounded, effective holistic education.   

Participants and LEAD facilitators all smile for a group photograph

LEAD 2017, an acronym for Leading by Example, Advancing with Diligence, was held for the second time following its overwhelming response in 2015 from 14 to 16 April 2017 at UTAR Kampar Campus. The camp was aimed not only to enhance leadership and teamwork skills among the undergraduates, but it also hoped to encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills alongside stimulating effective communication skills among the younger generation today.

The leadership camp was attended by Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS) Public Relations lecturer-cum-Head of Organising Committee of LEAD 2017 Diong Fong Wei, Head of Department of Public Relations (DPR) Pong Kok Shiong, Head of Master of Philosophy (Social Science) Foong Soon Seng, Head of BA (Hons) English Language Raphael Thoo Yi Xian, FAS lecturers-cum-facilitators Christina Ong Sook Beng, and Ong Sheau Wen, guest facilitator Andrew Au Soon Kay, UTAR staff and students.

“Acknowledging the importance of equipping students with well-rounded soft skills that are invaluable traits employers seek for in the working arena, LEAD 2017, aims to work along and extend the institution’s goal of nurturing students through holistic education that are capable of shaping the future and making useful contributions to the society,” said Diong.

Organised and led by DPR, the main highlight of this three-day-two-night camp revolved around the Leonard Personality Inventory (LPI) session in which participants were given an in-depth analysis of their personalities covering aspects that include individual strengths and weaknesses, as well as relevant tips and ways to improve themselves in the future.

LEAD facilitator Au leading one of the sessions

“As potential leaders, not only does such knowledge prove to be crucial in the self-realisation as well as self-actualisation of the participants, but it is also vital for the participants’ overall development especially when they enter the workforce and become leaders of any organisations,” added Diong.    

Among other interesting on-ground activities that were held during the camp include “Leader has the Brain”, “Unity is Strength” and “Work like a Captain, Play like a Pirate; all of which were bound to test the physical and mental strengths of the participants. Meanwhile, the participants’ communicative and language skills were put to test when all of them engaged enthusiastically in the performing activities namely “Show your Talent” and “Team’s Got Talent”. All these activities were facilitated by a group of LPI trainers, all of whom are academicians from FAS alongside the assistance from the student helpers recruited from the Institute of Public Relations Student Association-UTAR Chapter (IPRMSA-UTAR Chapter).    

Participants during a group discussion

“Leadership camps are not only meant to educate, but they are great platforms for us to discover the hidden talents and strengths among participants. Through each specially designed activity, we aim to leverage the participants’ strengths so as to complement with their weaknesses,” said Thoo, one of the LPI trainers involved in the 2017 LEAD camp.     

 Thoo (middle right) explaining Leonard Personality Test to the participants

Meanwhile, when sharing her thoughts during the reflection session, Chew Luck, one of the participants of LEAD 2017 said, “Not only have I enjoyed all the activities that challenged my mental and physical capability, LEAD 2017 has also helped me to discover, as well as to accept my strengths and weaknesses. This is definitely the best leadership camp that I have ever attended.” 

Prior to this, the DPR of UTAR has also had its first LEAD Leadership camp held in 2015 where it successfully drew the participation of 100 UTAR undergraduates. “Following LEAD 2017, we hope to continue journeying our mission towards nurturing students through holistic education via leadership camp of this kind,” said Diong.   

Participants getting ready for one of the indoor activities