NILAI, N. SEMBILAN, July 2016 – Some 170 university student leaders from the 10 ASEAN countries and Pakistan would participate in the 4th ASEAN Future Leaders Summit (AFLES) 2016 from 13 – 24 July 2016.

AFLES 2016, first held in 2013, was jointly organised by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and Prince of Songkla University (PSU) Hatyai, Thailand.

All participants will have the opportunity to stay together and involved in the various activities planned at each venue during the 10-day programme, which included forums, discussions, lectures, outdoor activities, community work, services and cultural events.

Deputy Higher Education Minister, Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching, who opened AFLES 2016 at AKEPT here on 15 July 2016, said she was well pleased with the increasing number of delegates from the participating universities in the 10 ASEAN countries, from 110 at the first AFLES in 2013 to 170 this year.

“This also goes to show that AFLES has achieved its objectives and I hope that it will continue to act as a platform to nurture, train and educate the leaders of tomorrow in higher learning institutions towards better interdependence, policy making and a sustainable future,” she said.

Mary Yap also said that the summit was timely as the ASEAN region was focusing on leadership training for the youths who would lead their respective countries in the future.

“I am glad that the summit was packed with exciting activities which I believe will boost the motivation among the ASEAN youths with the awareness that all of them have the potential to be leaders.

“Looking at the current world scenario, we can’t deny that changes are bound to happen and in view of this, we need to prepare our youths to face the unpredictable challenges that will come their way,” she added.

Mary Yap said Malaysia had always taken vital steps towards educating students who would be the leaders of tomorrow.

"The increasing numbers of universities in Malaysia and the facilities that are provided in the educational sector are one of the many examples of our policy towards the development of higher education, not just within the country but with other international universities as well.

"We are working closely with our ASEAN neighbours with the common aim of providing quality education for our students," she said.

Meanwhile, the Dean of School of Management USM, Prof. Dr. Fauziah Md Taib said, AFLES is a very popular programme amongst the ASEAN undergraduate and postgraduate students and many who had attended wish to join this programme again in the future.

“It is also a good avenue for networking amongst regional students and international delegates, and also exposure for them to learn some vital leadership skills,” she said.

She said this will provide invaluable experience for the participants to treasure and to prepare them in the future because the unique experiences gained in all venues for the 10-day programme will strengthen their leadership skills, besides helping them to learn and understand each other’s culture better.

Among those also present at the opening ceremony were the Director of AKEPT, Professor Dr. Mohamad Kamal Haji Harun; Advisor of AFLES and USM Postgraduate Students Association (PSA), Associate Professor Dr. Anees Janee Ali; AFLES 2016 Director, Ali Sarvghadi; committee members, and ASEAN student leaders.

Text: Tan Ewe Hoe