MALAYSIA URGES D-8 NATIONS TO COLLABORATE ON YOUTH EMPOWERMENT THROUGH AKEPT

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 (Bernama) – Malaysia invites all Developing Eight (D-8) Organisation for Economic Cooperation member states to collaborate through the Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT) – a platform focused on advancing leadership development and capacity building among young academics, professionals, and entrepreneurs.

Speaking at the 21st Session of the D-8 Council of Ministers Meeting in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir emphasised the critical role of higher education institutions in fostering opportunities and driving youth empowerment.

“This academy (AKEPT) serves as an academic platform for senior and mid-management in fostering leadership development capacity building and the enhancement of managerial skills among young academic student leaders, professionals, and entrepreneurs.

“Let us set the right policy of higher education that aims to create bridges of knowledge and opportunity. Thus, we can together create youth innovation programmes,” he said.

Established in January 2008 under the Ministry of Higher Education, AKEPT aims to expose top and middle managements of higher learning institutions to a structured leadership development programme. In line with the tagline “Shaping Minds, Buildings Leaders”, AKEPT strives to design and provide initiatives on leadership development for leaders of higher learning institutions.

Meanwhile, Zambry proposed the development of D-8-focused scholarships and research initiatives to incentivise collaborations among member nations.

“We can also establish a joint research initiative that pulls resources, expertise, and data,” he added.

Established in Istanbul, Turkiye, on June 15, 1997, the D-8 is a group of developing Islamic nations formed to promote economic development. Its members include Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkiye.

The theme of this year’s summit is “Investing in Youth and Supporting SMEs: Shaping Tomorrow's Economy.”

Zambry said Malaysia supports the outcome document of the 11th D-8 Summit, Cairo Declaration.

He said the declaration stands as a testament to an unwavering commitment to empowering youth as future leaders and catalysts for sustainable economic youth.

"Our youth are the architects of tomorrow. With their creativity, energy, and boundless potential, they hold the keys to solving our most pressing challenges.

“To unlock their (youth) potentials, we must provide future-proof education systems, providing skills, STEM fields, digital literacy, creative industries, and entrepreneurial skills. In line with the theme of this summit, higher education institutions play a pivotal role in providing opportunities and empowering our youth,” he said.

-- BERNAMA