Lim Kok Wing Transforming Education Landscape In African Continent

By Linda Khoo Hui Li MBABANE (Swaziland), Jan 4 (Bernama) -- It was an electrifying atmosphere at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology campus in Mbabane, Swaziland. The unifying beat of kompangs and Chinese drums with a melodious song filled the air to welcome a special guest - Lim Kok Wing. The lively cheers and traditional dance gave a “warm welcome” to this visionary who has made an impact in transforming the education landscape in Africa. Clad in his signature black attire – black t-shirt printed “Be The Best. Be A Limkokwing Graduate” and black pants, the university staff and students erupted in joyous screams when the university’s founder and president walked out from his car. Lim is viewed by many as a visionary and a friend of African nations for many decades. The Malaysian Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to Southern African Development Committee (SADC) is admired, loved and highly respected in the region because of his humility and unparalleled vision. Lim has made an impact in transforming the education landscape in several African countries by opening Limkokwing University branch campuses. TRANSFORMING EDUCATION LANDSCAPE IN AFRICAN CONTINENT Lim started to explore into education in the African continent when he worked closely with Nelson Mandela, former South African president and the iconic freedom fighter to prepare the African National Congress for the country's first free elections in 1993. He was tasked to come up with ANC’e election slogan “A Better Life for All” and also came up with the election poster of Mandela. Mandela’s ANC won overwhelmingly. Later, Mandela wrote a letter of appreciation Lim's contribution. In 2005, Lim created a blueprint to establish the first campus in Africa after meeting with African leaders during the Langkawi International Dialogue in Malaysia. On the invitation from the Botswana government, Lim launched the first campus Limkokwing University of Creative and Technology (Limkokwing University) Botswana at the Fairgrounds Mall in May 2007. 2017 marked the 10th anniversary of Limkokwing University Botswana, the university's first branch campus in the South African region. The other campuses are in Lesotho, Swaziland and Sierra Leone. Being one of the well-known Malaysian brands for international education in the African region, Limkokwing University Botswana has empowered some 14,000 young individuals for national development of the republic in the past 10 years. Today, Limkokwing University is one of the most well-known Malaysian brands for international education and played a vital role in transforming the education landscape in the African region. It is one of the world’s most innovative and creative institutions of higher learning that has gained a foothold in the African continent. The university has produced about 22,000 graduates in the African continent. PUTTING MALAYSIA ON THE WORLD EDUCATION MAP Regional Director of Marketing and Recruitment of Limkokwing University Marcia Mangadi said “Malaysia is known through Tan Sri (Lim) in the African continent”. Since the establishment of its first campus in the continent, she said Limkokwing University Botswana has brought a sense of hope for the poor and marginalized in providing a world-class education to the people there. She said the university offered a unique opportunity to acquire internationally recognised degrees and diplomas to the many African children with world-class innovative, creative education and industry-driven skills. “The young African have gained a different kind of energy and confidence. They opened up a new business in the creative industry which is fairly new in Africa. They have come up with innovative solutions relevant to their communities,” she told Bernama. Careers in creative industries were almost none existent in the continent prior the setting up of the university, said Marcia. However, following the establishment of the university, now, broadcasting and journalism, sound and music design, film and television, creative multimedia, public relations and event management are among the fast emerging industries. “It was pioneered by the university students and graduates,” she said adding that over the years, Limkokwing University has expanded the comprehensive range of programmes across a myriad of discipline that are creative, innovative and relevant by harnessing the benefits of smart technology and cutting-edge digital technologies. She added that Lim has sponsored hundreds of students to access quality education in the region. Describing Lim as a legendary leader, Marcia said he has been sharing with many governments on how to improve the quality of life through creative and innovative thinking in the African continent. “Besides that, a lot of leaders look up to him for support and advice especially on education as his unconventional ideas that have brought positive changes to the societies,” she said. BUILDING BOTSWANA HUMAN CAPITAL Meanwhile, Lim said he was proud in bringing and promoting the university, a Malaysian brand, to the African continent. Asked for the reasons that prompted him to focus on African countries, he said when the university decided to venture outside Malaysia “Africa is an obvious place”. “We worked closely with the late Mandela’s election campaign. We came to Botswana and Lesotho during the campaign. “You will go to (places) where you are familiar with. So, Southern Africa is a natural place to go to. Once we are here, we felt we could make a contribution. Then, the commitment becomes stronger,” he said. Lim said the campus in Botswana remained at the forefront in applied and digital technology. He said graduates from the university have penetrated into almost every industry in Botswana and surrounding countries. “For example, the Botswana Television employs more than 60 per cent of Limkokwing graduates. They are involved in every aspect of the business especially in content creation,” he said. MANDATE TO FEED HUMAN RESOURCE Lim said the university would continue to deliver on its mandate of feeding the country’s human resource needs. “The graduates are ready to transform the country’s industries and are taking the country’s economy to greater heights setting in motion the wheels of change. They are seen as Botswana’s generation of creative and innovative leaders,” he said. Lim said setting up of the university's campus in the continent has helped to retain talents as well as creating jobs and business opportunities for the people. He said countries like Botswana have been losing talents as the graduates who leave the country to study overseas later settled down there. “We keep thousands at home. More importantly, we are keeping talent here to build the country,” said Lim. -- BERNAMA