Limkokwing University proudly hosted the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Summit on 4 & 5 November 2017, organised by the Commonwealth Youth Council in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Malaysian Government.
Young leaders, activists and aspiring entrepreneurs from 52 commonwealth nations were given a warm Limkokwing welcome as they gathered at the Cyberjaya global campus to discuss and share insights and experiences related to the most critical issues facing the world community.
Under the theme “An Intergenerational Convergence,” the four key topics that topped the agenda were Climate Policy and Finance; Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship; Peace-building and Global Inequality; and Social Cohesion.
United Nations Resident Coordinator to Malaysia, Stefan Priesner, said, “These subject matters are important, especially in the context of the 2030 Sustainable Development Core agenda which is the universal core agenda agreed by countries all over the world at the United Nations general assembly.”
“I think it is very important that this happened in the wonderful atmosphere of the Limkokwing University,” he said, adding that he was very impressed with the multicultural environment of the Cyberjaya campus.
Delegates also spoke highly about Limkokwing University’s contributions to youth development, through various ongoing programmes and initiatives that emphasised industry exposure with multiculturalism.
Deputy Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Youth Secretariat, Dr. Josephine Ojiambo, said, “I am very impressed with the entrepreneurship programme that this University is running for its students.”
She said self-employment is a viable alternative to traditional employment for youths, a sentiment shared by the Commonwealth.
“Studies have shown that entrepreneurship makes a huge contribution towards wealth creation and poverty reduction,” she added. “It is a key driver to developing the human capital necessary for the future.”
At the gala dinner held during the summit, Limkokwing University Founder and President, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Paduka Dr. Lim Kok Wing was honoured with the Commonwealth Champions Award, becoming only the eighth recipient of the award in its history.
Also receiving Commonwealth recognition was Limkokwing University Vice President and Centre for Content Creation CEO, Dato’ Sri Timothy Lim Kok Wing Jr, for his role in Leadership for Youth Empowerment.
The three-day summit was earlier inaugurated by HRH Prince Charles of Wales on 3 November during his visit to the University of Nottingham in Semenyih, Selangor.