PENANG, July 2015 - Students from ASEAN higher learning institutions who will become leaders of tomorrow are urged to be progressive thinkers who can contribute ideas towards a more sustainable development.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Pro-Chancellor, Tan Sri Datuk Mustafa Mansur said, as future leaders of ASEAN, it is crucial for them to be far-sighted, able to think progressively and make good decisions that would benefit ASEAN as a whole.

“Therefore, I urge all to be mindful of the need to establish ties that create a community of ASEAN university students who has good potential to assume leadership positions, in order to ensure the continuity of ASEAN unity and future development.

He was speaking at the 3rd ASEAN Future Leaders Summit (AFLES 2015) organised by the USM Postgraduate Students Association in collaboration with the Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and Prince of Songkla University (PSU) Thailand, here recently.

Mustafa also said, future leaders among the youth need to be groomed and must practice integrity, good governance and moral responsibility, as well as always bear in mind that the goal is not just to lead, but to lead others towards a better, more fulfilling way of life.

“Be leaders that can change the future towards the betterment of all ASEAN peoples by developing an ASEAN community that is sustainable, dynamic, united and competitive,” he added.  

Mustafa reminded them that diversity is the most valuable and unique asset that ASEAN possesses and needs to harness in order to ensure the harmony of the region, strengthened through knowledge and higher education.

“This also means that the younger generation needs to equip themselves with the latest technology and knowledge, use them wisely to bring benefits to the ASEAN community,” he added.

The summit, which lasted for 10 days (24 July – 4 August), took the student leaders totaling 160 from the 10 ASEAN countries to four locations, namely AKEPT, UiTM, USM and PSU Thailand.

The main objective of AFLES 2015 was to create a platform for networking among the ASEAN university students who have high potential of becoming leaders, to enrich them with leadership capabilities and to promote participation together in various academic, research, cultural and social activities.

Also present at the sharing session were USM International Office Director Associate Professor Dr. Anees Janee Ali; Shelton International College and RPT Singapore Director Patrick Hogan; AFLES 2015 Project Director Imran Sarwar; and the principal officers of USM. 

Translation & Text: Tan Ewe Hoe/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa