DSA 2016 Offers Youth Hands-On Experience With Defence, Security 'Top Guns'

By Amiril Muttaqien Meketar KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 (Bernama) -- While it is very rare for the youth to have hands–on experience in dealing with the 'top guns' in the defence and security line, the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2016 Exhibition and Conference has made it a breeze. Known as DSA 2016 Volunteers, the programme, among others, is aimed at familiarising them in liaising with high-ranking people comprising minister, deputy minister, army chiefs and military secretaries-general. A volunteer, Izaz Emyra Rohimmi, 21, who acts as VIP Ambassador for Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Vietnam People's Navy, Rear Admiral Ngo Sy Quyet, said she had the privilege of escorting Ngo to the booth in the event. She told Bernama that she was elated to get to know representatives of local and international armies attending the event where assets, including missiles and tanks were showcased. She said the programme was one of the layers under the inaugural DSA 2016 Youth Programme that included DSA 2016 Guided Learning Tour and DSA 2016 Conferences. Izaz Emyra, who had just completed her diploma studies in hotel and tourism in Merlimau Polytechnic said joining the programme would serve as eye-opener to learn how the 'top guns' dealt with the exhibitor, particularly in the procurement of military assets and weaponry. Another participant, hall manager Farhana Roslann, 26, described the programme as a great avenue for the youth to grasp the idea of dealing in a more diplomatic manner by overseeing the engagement between the VIP and exhibitor on defence and security-related matters. Dubbed the ‘backbone’ of the programme, the law graduate from Multimedia University (MMU) said the hall manager needed to ensure the exhibitor was satisfied with the outcome of the discussion held with the VIP, brought by the VIP Ambassador. “I feel proud to be part of this event as I learnt a lot of new things such as dealing with stress, learning to be more organised, as well as meeting new friends,” she said. Another volunteer, Muizzuddin Schani Feizal Maurice Feizal, 21, pointed out that he would leverage the opportunity that stretched as wide as the sea to build contacts with other companies. “It is important for me because it might be beneficial in securing jobs in the near future,” he said. Muizzuddin Schani, a final year law student at the MMU, hoped to glean knowledge on law policies which the VIPs utilised in defence and security perspectives when they engaged with the exhibitors or industry players. About 500 youth from both local and private universities, national services training programme alumni and Yayasan Sukarelawan Malaysia (Malaysian Volunteer Foundation) are taking part in the DSA 2016 Youth Programme, of which about more than 200 youth are involved in the DSA 2016 Volunteers programme. Asia's biggest defence show has gathered industry players from across 60 countries, as well as trade visitors from 77 countries. -- BERNAMA