The inaugural Future Leaders Camp was declared a resounding success by the participants and its principal sponsors. The camp originally mooted by the administrators of Nilai University College (Nilai UC) as a way to bring students from different cultural backgrounds closer together was well received by the Ministry of Higher Education which agreed to sponsor the event. Along with backing from the World Youth Foundation, the camp attracted plenty of applicants from private tertiary institutions all over Malaysia.
Held at Nilai UC’s sister company, Nilai Springs Hotel & Golf Resort, the camp featured a host of activities designed to give students a better understanding of cultural diversity and what they can do to break down barriers between students who hail from different cultural backgrounds. Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Ali Redhauddin Tuanku Muhriz, Tunku Besar Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan, who gave the keynote address expressed his pleasure at being able to speak to such a large international audience. He believed that by getting such a diverse group together for a camp itself allowed students to learn more about their peers.
Proceedings started on a serious academic note as students listened to Prof Dr Shamsul Amri Bahruddin (Founding Director of Institute of Ethnic Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia). Other speakers and guests of note during the three day camp included Dr Bawa Jain (Chairman, World Youth Peace Summit) and Ramdas Tikamdas (Former President, National Human Rights Society). The latter oversaw a Parliamentary-style debate and resolutions session on ‘Inter-Cultural Relations in Private Institutions of Higher Learning’. He pointed out that after the voting process had been tabulated, some of the resolutions would lead to draconian laws. However, he commended the students for being able to take part in a parliamentary session in an orderly and civil manner. He hoped that this example of democracy would lead them to greater things in their home countries.
The participants were also very enamored by Dr Bawa’s speech where he regaled them of his many experiences of meeting world leaders including former US President Bill Clinton. Dr Bawa’s rallying call for students to be leaders now and not just the future was met with resounding approval. Indeed, his session was met with the most questions as students queued up to get an insight into his mission and work which includes being the Secretary General of the World Council of Religious Leaders. In the capacity of the latter, he recounted how media mogul Ted Turner caused a furor at the United Nations when he addressed religious leaders from all over the world without following proper protocol. Dr Bawa said this was an important lesson for him as it underlined the importance of doing research on his subject matter. He said that if he had done some homework about Ted Turner, he would have realised the need to brief Turner on the protocol procedure. He implored students to always be prepared by doing some necessary homework on other people’s cultural backgrounds as it could avoid unnecessary pitfalls as well as being a useful tool in negotiations.
Students were also exposed to the some personal development sessions. The Dale Carnegie Trainers gave students plenty of useful pointers on how to build confidence and to problem solve with a positive attitude. Chapter One Asia treated students to an etiquette and grooming session which pointed out a number of fashion faux paus not acceptable in the corporate sector.
At the end of the three day camp, many students expressed their belief that they are leaving better persons and equipped with essential knowledge which will help them grow into leaders. “I have learnt so much from the talks and seminars. In these three days I have made so many new friends from all over the world. This camp has been a truly life-changing experience,” proclaimed Ruben Devapatham, student in Nilai UC’s Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering programme. Similar sentiments were repeated at the Nilai UC-MOHE Future Leaders Camp Facebook site ,which is a clear signal to the organisers that the following edition of the camp has a very high standard to meet.
