KOTA SAMARAHAN: Youth are urged to take ownership of their development and be involved in decision-making to nurture a stronger sense of nationalism.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit, stated that the lecture delivered by Dewan Rakyat Speaker, Tan Sri Johari Abdul, presented valuable content to be appreciated and learned from in the effort to empower youth.
“This lecture is especially significant as Malaysia assumes the role of ASEAN Chair, highlighting the vital role of youth in shaping the region’s future – from sustainable development policies and technological innovation to the strengthening of identity and self-worth.
“When young people are given the opportunity to develop their skills, further their studies, and participate in decision-making processes, they will naturally feel a deeper connection to, and responsibility for, their institutions and their country,” he said.
Ahmad Hata was giving his opening speech during the ‘From Sarawak to ASEAN: Elevating Youth Aspirations in the Regional Arena’ lecture session on Tuesday.
Held at UNIMAS, the session was more than just a lecture; it was a stage for youth empowerment, regional vision, and a redefinition of Malaysia’s role in ASEAN, driven largely by students themselves.
In addition, he also shared UNIMAS’ perspective on the importance of student mobility initiatives in gaining diverse viewpoints.
“In fact, we send our students to various Asian countries, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, and across the region.
“This is part of our student mobility efforts to ensure they gain different perspectives through direct regional experiences,” he said.
Moreover, Ahmad stressed that UNIMAS remains steadfast as a platform for young people to voice their opinions, not only at the national level but also internationally.
“This significant event was 90 per cent organised by the students themselves, with the remaining 10 per cent supported by Professor Al Khalid and the student and alumni affairs teams,” he further said.
In line with this, the lecture programme also saw the involvement of students from other public institutions of higher learning (IPTA), including Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak Campus and Polytechnic Kuching Campus.
