Limkokwing Making A Difference In Lesotho

By Nur Ashikin Abdul Aziz MASERU (Lesotho), Oct 22 (Bernama) -- The Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (Limkokwing)’s convocation ceremony in Lesotho’s capital of Maseru, recently, was quite a grand affair. The graduates of the Class of 2019, clad in their graduation robes, walked and danced some one kilometre from the campus grounds to the convocation hall while ululating to express their joy. More interestingly, they were also playing the kompang – a Malaysian percussion instrument – as onlookers clapped and cheered on. Limkokwing's presence in the country that is land-locked and completely surrounded by South Africa is the reason why the Jalur Gemilang is dear and familiar to the locals, even though Malaysia is over 8,000km away. In fact, on arrival at Lesotho's Moshoeshoe I International Airport, the immigration officer promptly asked this writer if she was part of the Limkokwing entourage. This was the conclusion he came across after seeing her Malaysian passport. It appears that in Lesotho, Limkokwing means Malaysia, and Malaysia means Limkokwing. BEING INNOVATIVE, MAKING A DIFFERENCE Being in the presence of Limkokwing's staff and students, this writer could not help but notice the culture that is Limkokwing – they were innovative, valued teamwork, practiced positive thinking and were determined to make a difference in this world. One graduate who truly embodied such values was Pearl Lawrence, 24, who on that day was awarded a degree in International Business. A recipient of the Tan Sri Limkokwing Award for Leadership, Pearl aspired to start a movement that would empower and educate the women in her community. She was inspired to start 'She's Outta Your League' after a traumatic episode of sexual assault that occurred the year she entered college. "So much happened to me during my first year. I was sexually assaulted and it nearly broke me. I was engaged but it was an abusive relationship. Today, here I am. I survived. My situation became a motivation to me to work hard. (To) prove the devil wrong," she said. Pearl said the fact that she was always an outcast because she stood out too much made her choose the university as it gave her the platform and support she needed. "When I came here it was so unique. Everyone was different in their own way but we complemented one another. All the people who wanted to be different, who wanted to think out of the box are here and it’s great," she said. INSPIRE CHANGE Pearl's mother, Margaret Mamolise Lawrence was all smiles when met at the convocation. She expressed happiness over the strong support system her daughter had at Limkokwing as at the time, their family was going through a rough patch The 49-year-old mother of two who at one time was paralysed from waist down said she was inspired with her daughter's success and now plans to pursue her own studies. "Hopefully, in Limkokwing. I was actually waiting for her to finish her studies because we can't afford (to pursue a degree at the same time). Now it's my chance," she said. Meanwhile, Limkokwing alumnus and lecturer Tseliso Albert Mojela who hailed from Ha-Monyake Village, some 30 kilometres from the campus, said he hoped to inspire change in his community. Sitting on a wheelchair he nicknamed his “Mercedes-Benz", Mojela said the university had given him the platform to do so and transformed his life by pushing him to be the best and to celebrate his need to be unique and different from the rest. "Really, Limkokwing has transformed my life and that of all these people in Lesotho. "I want to transform my community and give something back to them. I don't want someone to say I want to be like Mojela, I want them to say I want to be more than Mojela," he said. LANGKAWI INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE Limkokwing, one of the most renowned Malaysian universities for international education in Africa, was established in Lesotho in 2008. The university also has campuses in Botswana, eSwatini and Sierra Leone. Its founder and president Dr Lim Kok Wing when met recently in Lesotho said the opportunity to open campuses in the African continent was thanks to Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the Langkawi International Dialogue (LID). The LID was first held in 1995 during Dr Mahathir's first tenure as prime minister and had brought together many African leaders. "It was then that I met many African leaders and was invited to open campuses over there. We need the LID to make a comeback. "We (Malaysia) also need to enter new markets like the Caribbean. We need to be at the forefront of this," he said. Since 2008, Limkokwing Lesotho has produced more than 8,000 graduates. Its future plans include setting up campuses in Namibia, Uganda, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa. TRANSFORMING LESOTHO THROUGH EDUCATION The convocation ceremony on Sept 5 was attended by the Lesotho Queen 'Masenate Mohato Seeiso, the Deputy Prime Minister Dr Monyane Moleleki, Education and Training Minister Prof Ntoi Rapapa. Other ministers and high ranking government officials were also present. The queen in her congratulatory note in the convocation book said Limkokwing had brought a whole new dimension and style of education to the kingdom which saw the coexistence of culture and technological advances. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr Motsoahae Thomas Thabane said the kingdom's decision to invite Limkokwing was a radical but proactive move to diversify its tertiary education – a move that has helped Lesotho to embrace the fourth industrial revolution. "It is through the impartation of Limkokwing graduates into the industry and economy that Lesotho is noticing steady diversification, adaptability of 21st century ways of life and introduction of otherwise formerly scarce or foreign skills in the country's economy, a catalyst of economic growth and competitiveness," he said. (photoBERNAMA) Edited by Sakina Mohamed -- BERNAMA