Nilai U successfully hosts Future Leaders Camp for the fifth successive year.
Nilai University (Nilai U), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, hosted and organised the Future Leaders Camp for the fifth consecutive year. Participants hailed from both private and public higher education centres from all over the country and were selected based on their contributions as student leaders in their respective institutions. The latest edition of the Future leaders Camp (FLC) was held at the Nilai Springs Resort Hotel from 16-18 November and attracted 102 participants who came to develop their personal and interpersonal qualities, sharpen their leadership skills and to expand their network. The theme for this year’s camp was ‘Cultural Relations – Leading in Solidarity’.
In his welcoming speech, Nilai U Chancellor Prof Emeritus Tengku Dato’ Shamsul Bahrin thanked the Ministry of Education for its continued support and that it was an endorsement of the FLC’s extracurricular value. Tengku Shamsul also explained that Nilai U subscribes to a philosophy of ‘enrichment for life’ and believes that the time students spend at university will affect them for their rest of their lives. This was not just limited to their academic endeavours but also their social experiences. He also thanked Tunku Ali Redhhauddin ibni Tuanku Muhriz (Tunku Besar Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan) for his continued support and adding some “royal flavour” to proceedings. Tunku Ali had delivered the keynote address at three previous camps but this year opted to take a more interactive approach by having an open forum with the participants. The prince was queried on a number of issues including his experiences of studying abroad, institutionalised racism, as well as on how best to conquer the cultural divides within the halls of learning.
The FLC was designed to allow participants to gain valuable soft skills via workshops by the likes of Dale Carnegie Training and Chapter One Asia Sdn Bhd. Response to both workshops was especially enthusiastic, in particular the latter, where participants were given handy tips on corporate etiquette and grooming. Participants also got to listen to former FLC alumnus Lo Chee Hoe who gave a speech on ‘Leading the Youth’ and the involvement of other alumnus as student helpers, photographer and ushers served to underline how well-liked the event is among students.
(L-R): Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evelita E. Celis (Nilai U Head of Accounting and Finance dept), Ibrahim Ali (Director, Student Affairs and Development, Dept of Higher Education, Ministry of Education), Tunku Ali Redhhauddin ibni Tuanku Muhriz (Tunku Besar Seri menanti, Negeri Sembilan), Professor Emeritus Tengku Dato’ Shamsul Bahrin (Nilai U Chancellor) and Datuk Dr. Megat Burhainuddin B. Megat Abdul Rahman (Nilai U Vice-Chancellor) at the opening ceremony of the Future Leaders camp 2013.
Second day of the FLC saw noted columnist and social activist Dina Zaman present a speech on inter-cultural relations while lawyer and former Bar Council President, Edmund Bon, moderated a mock Parliamentary session. Participants were invited to make proposals to a Bill that would improve inter-cultural relations in institutions of higher learning. For many, this was their first taste of being involved in the democratic process and highlighted the myriad difficulties in drafting law that improved the scenario without impinging on minority rights.
At the end of the camp, participants were seen proudly clutching their certificates and assured all the facilitators that they would spread the word about their positive experiences at the FLC. Common consensus was that this was yet another successful edition of the FLC and with its ever-growing cachet; it would be no surprise for this event to come back bigger and better next year.
Nilai U administrators believe in providing every opportunity for students to fulfil their potential and to expose them to a wide variety of experiences allowing them to mature into confident and competent young adults. For more information, please go to www.nilai.edu.my or search for ‘Nilai University’ on Facebook. To speak to a counsellor, please call 06-8502308 / 07-2262336 / 03-79603089.
