Leading with social responsibility

From left: Prof Choong, Dato’ Seri Kalimullah and Loh together with the speakers and participants at the opening ceremony

The University Young Leaders Conference (UYLC) 2018 makes a return at Kampar Campus on 10 November 2018 after its inaugural edition last year.

A platform that sharpens students’ critical thinking skills and enriches their perspectives towards global issues, UYLC 2018 was themed “Leading with Social Responsibility”. The conference this year primarily aimed to inculcate its 120 over participants with a right understanding of social responsibility as well as develop leadership and soft skills essential in fulfilling social responsibility.

Present at the conference’s opening ceremony was Chairman of ECM Libra Foundation and Executive Chairman of ECM Libra Financial Group Berhad Dato’ Seri Kalimullah bin Masheerul Hassan, who was also UYLC 2018’s Keynote Speaker. He was received by UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations and also UYLC 2018 Organising Chairperson Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong. Also present at the opening ceremony were Department of Student Affairs (Kampar Campus) Head Chiang Jeng Fong, Department of Soft Skills Competency (Kampar Campus) Hee Chwen Yee and Student Representative Council Kampar Campus 2018/2019 Chairperson Loh Jia Hui.

Representing UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik to deliver the welcome speech, Prof Choong extended his appreciation to the invited speakers and also the organising committee for creating a platform for the budding young leaders to learn and grow. “Our youths are important because they will be the country’s future leaders. Just as much focus has been given to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its implications, equal or maybe more focus should also be given to educating, preparing and nurturing our youths to be a socially responsible leader in this age of digitization. In this era, it demands leaders to be more ethical with good moral compass,” mentioned Prof Choong and reminded the participants to always remember the core values of humanities as leaders of tomorrow.

Prof Choong speaking on the importance of having a moral compass as leaders

Encouraging the participants to follow the footsteps of inspiring leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Mother Teresa; ethical corporate leader such as Bill Gates, as well as social entrepreneurs with a big heart like India’s sanitary towel hero Arunachalam Muruganantham and “toilet man” Dr Bindeshwar Pathak in transforming peoples’ lives, Dato’ Seri Kalimullah said, “One doesn’t need to be rich as Bill Gates to change the world. You can be like Dr Bindeshwar and Mr Arunachalam who didn’t use their wealth to change the lives of millions of people, especially women. These role models have displayed leadership, persevered and held on to their beliefs which eventually made them succeed.” Sharing with the participants how ECM Libra was founded, the ECM Libra Foundation Chairman also mentioned that Bill Gates’ devotion in helping those marginalised had inspired ECM Libra Foundation to try to carry out programmes to help the less privileged. “Our views and thoughts at ECM Libra were shaped by our own experiences in life. I believe one of you here will be the new Dr Bindeshwar and Mr Arunachalam of this new world. And believe that even if you don’t have the means today, it’s possible to do some good in some ways just like what the ECM Libra Foundation is doing in a very, very small way. The important thing is you must have the commitment, the determination, the desire and the moral compass,” Dato’ Seri Kalimullah added, and stressed that one must be able to stand up for his or her convictions and must be prepared to pay the price for doing so.

Dato’ Seri Kalimullah imparting his wisdom to the participants during his Keynote Address

Prof Choong (left) presenting souvenir to Dato’ Seri Kalimullah

Warming up the conference was a talk by City University of Malaysia’s Faculty of Business Dean Dr Pek Chuen Khee titled “What Are Your Commitments to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) As A Responsible Global Citizen?”. A certified Sustainable Development Planner and Trainer for Sustainable Development Planning with the World Institute of Sustainable Development Planners, UNESCO Hong Kong, Dr Pek’s talk introduced the 17 UN SDGs, allowing the participants to understand how the different levels of economy from the government to corporations and individuals support these goals. The participants were then shown how proposed sustainability theories can be fitted into classroom teachings. 

Dr Pek urging the participants to be actively involved in activities which are in line with the UN SDGs

Other UYLC 2018 talk included “Blue Sky Rescue Malaysia: Together, We Keep the World Safer” by Pioneer Member of Blue Sky Rescue (BSR) Malaysia as well First Aid Trainer and Formal Secretary of Perak State St John Ambulance of Malaysia Lim Jit Theam. Also a UTAR Faculty of Information and Communication Technology Senior Lecturer, Lim shared with the participants some inspiring and interesting encounters during his tenure as a BSR member and experiences as volunteers which help not only people but also the world. Lim also invited his fellow BSR confrere Dr Cornelius Piros, who is also BSR Malaysia’s medical training advisor, to introduce BSR’s various initiatives in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.

Lim speaking to the participants about his invaluable experiences in various life-saving missions and voluntary works

Dr Cornelius encouraging the participants to join Blue Sky Rescue (BSR) Malaysia

A forum titled “Future Leaders with Social Responsibility” was also held to deepen the participants’ understanding on the inextricability between leadership and social responsibility. Moderated by Director of Trends & Thoughts Sdn Bhd Sam Leong, the forum speakers were CEO of Agmo Studio and Mobile Apps Development Association founder Tan Aik Keong, President of Junior Chamber International Kinta 2018 and Deputy Secretary-General to Malaysia's National Association for Automobile Workshops Matt Ngai Chee Hau, Federation of Chinese Association Malaysia’s Legal Team Lead Secretariat and founder of WhatsLaw (律师有话说) legal knowledge sharing platform Wong Kang Xian, and pastry chef-cum-entrepreneur, Ann’s Wonderbar founder and Daughters of Cambodia’s social worker Ann Lee, thus allowing the participants to have a well-rounded view of leadership and responsibility from the diverse group of speakers.

From left: Ngai, Tan, Leong, Lee and Wong at the forum on Future Leaders with Social Responsibility 

Clockwise from top left: Ngai, Tan, Wong and Lee sharing their views on the importance of understanding social responsibility as budding leaders

Equipping the participants with relevant skills and knowledge of leadership, sustainability and responsibility were the parallel workshops. They include “Why Do Ethics Matter” by TEFT Cavallho Resources Principal Consultant Melati Ismail and Avon RSDC-certified Master Coach Catherine Chin, “Social Entrepreneurship – An Invitation to be M.A.D” by ASK Education & Training Sdn Bhd Principal Consultant Ravinther Kunju Raman, and “Sustainability Leadership” by environmental engineer and Tiny Steps co-founder Yaw Yi Xin as well as UTAR DSSC Kampar lecturer Yoon Seck Hoe. 

Trainers (clockwise from top left) Melati, Chin, Yaw and Ravinther engaging with the participants during their respective workshop

Drawn to UYLC 2018 because of its theme on leading with social responsibility, Environmental Engineering student Allen Tan Heng Kuang said he found the 17 UN SDGs very essential and relevant. The Photography Society Chairperson also expressed his liking towards the workshop by Yaw, who is also an environmental engineer. “Her workshop gave us insights of the ongoing environmental issue in the world. She is very knowledgeable in her field and always reads about latest science research breakthroughs as well as latest development in the environmental aspect,” explained the 21-year-old.

To Psychology student Khairun Anis Syafinaz, the UN SDGs also extends to how many are aware of how they can support the goals. “The SDGs allowed me to see what are the kinds of sustainable developments which my country should be looking into. It’s also inspiring to see there are so many young individuals like us who are interested to know more about the transformation we should be spearheading for the future,” she continued.

“Such conference allows me to look at social and environmental issues more maturely and also start thinking what we can do for our world. I realise that it is dependent on our generation to start looking for sustainable solutions for whatever challenges which may arise in the future,” said English Language student Nano Yokoyama.

Participants listening attentively to the talks

Participants paying attention during workshops and exploring their creative side during some exercises

UYLC 2018 officially came to an end with Prof Choong delivering his closing remark. The Vice President applauded the participants’ commitment in attending the full session of UYLC 2018 which reflected their strong will and interests in learning. “The experience of your engagement with the speakers and the knowledge which you gained throughout the conference will certainly make you an improved and advanced version of yourself. While it is almost impossible for you to immediately commit yourself into helping people, do remember that these will become the foundation of your growth one day and having the ability to help others,” he concluded.

Jointly organised by DSA and DSSC of Kampar Campus, UYLC 2018 is a youth enrichment programme in line with the university’s commitment in producing knowledgeable and forward thinking graduates with values and ethics to face new frontiers.

The VIPs, speakers and trainers giving their thumbs up. From left: Yoon, Prof Choong, Lee, Leong, Tan, Wong, Ngai, Yaw, Dr Pek and Ravinther