NILAI, NEGERI SEMBILAN, 24 July 2015 - The development and progress of higher education in ASEAN countries could be further strengthened through the organisation of the ASEAN Future Leaders Summit 2015 (AFLES 2015), said the Deputy Minister of Education II, P. Kamalanathan P. Panchanathan.

“I believe such a programme can enhance networking and collaboration among ASEAN postgraduate students and universities, besides providing a platform to enrich the students with leadership skills.

“The programme is timely and in tandem with the selection of Malaysia as the Chair of ASEAN this year,” said P. Kamalanathan in his speech before officiating the 10-day programme in AKEPT which was well attended by more than 160 students, mostly student leaders and representatives from leading universities in the ASEAN region.

AFLES 2015 was organised for the third time by the Postgraduate Students Association of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) together with Prince of Songkla University (PSU) Thailand, Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT) and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).

He also praised the four institutions for their gallant efforts in organising this Summit and hopes that this Summit will also paved the way towards creating better opportunities for the development of student leadership, entrepreneurship, volunteerism and cross cultural knowledge exchange among the community of young ASEAN leaders.

P. Kamalanathan added the presence of student representatives and consulates of ASEAN countries will give a positive impact on the development and advancement of higher education in Malaysia which is also moving in the same direction as their ASEAN counterparts.

"This year, the secretariat received almost 700 applications to join AFLES in just three days through promotion via social networking site; however for logistic purposes, we only selected 160 delegates from among them from the 10 ASEAN countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, Philippines, Myanmar, Laos and Malaysia," said the Director of USM International Office, Associate Professor Dr. Anees Janee Ali.

Meanwhile, AKEPT Director, Professor Dr. Mohd Majid Konting said, AKEPT was glad to be able to play its role in assisting and supporting any education activity whether formal or informal that is organised by institutions of higher education especially with regards to leadership training, and and it is a privilege for AKEPT to be a co-organiser of AFLES 2015.

AFLES 2015, themed “Fostering Leadership for a Sustainable Tomorrow” began today and will span ten days (24th July to 2nd August) with participants attending workshops, forums, educational sessions and community work programmes hosted by AKEPT, UiTM Shah Alam, USM Penang and PSU Hat Yai Thailand.

Also present were the USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Development and Alumni), Professor Dato' Dr. Adnan Hussein and consulates of ASEAN countries.

Translation: Sharifah Zafirah & Tan Ewe Hoe/Text & Photo: Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah & Nor Rafizah Md Zain