By: Amarleen Kaur Sandhu
In its ongoing commitment to fostering leadership qualities among young minds, MCKL has concluded its second BUILD leadership conference on 9 September 2023. The acronym BUILD stands for “Build Unwavering Impactful Leaders,” encapsulating the essence of the conference’s mission. The event aimed to empower the youth by providing insights from successful leaders, reinforcing Bill Gates’ vision that future leaders will be those who empower others.
Distinguished speakers at the conference included Dr Goh Chee Leong, CEO of HELP University; Ms Siti Syamin, Director of Development of Higher Education Malaysia Association; Ms Sarah Yong Li-Hsien, Chairperson of the Bar Council Technology, Cyber, and Privacy Law Committee; and Ms Chan Yen Ping, Training Specialist for Teach for Malaysia.
This year’s BUILD conference saw an impressive attendance of 250 students from MCKL’s sister schools across Malaysia, including Seremban, Penang, Klang, KL, Ipoh, and Bandar Seri Coalfields. The gathering provided a platform for students to connect, learn, and be inspired by the experiences of accomplished leaders.
Group Photo
In interviews conducted with attendees, students shared their transformative experiences. Kimberley Chee Mei Kay expressed finding a sense of fellowship among peers who, like herself, had faced challenges in leadership. She left the conference with newfound confidence, motivated by her peers to persevere despite obstacles. Kimberley emphasised the importance of balancing academic and extracurricular commitments, highlighting that success extends beyond academic achievements.
Tan Ming Reo from MCKL College (Penang, Pykett Campus) learnt about being a “flexible and adaptable leader,” recognising leadership potential in everyone. Christie Song Chern Ai echoed this sentiment, emphasising that accomplished leaders inspire by acknowledging the potential in others. When asked to describe leadership in three words, students used terms such as “compassion, respect, and courage,” underlining the significance of empathy and dedication in leadership.
Group discussion
Students also shared their personal role models, ranging from public figures like Sylvester Stallone and Malala Yousafzai to personal inspirations like fathers and teachers. These role models embody qualities that students aspire to incorporate into their own leadership journeys.
Reflecting on the impact of the conference, attendees expressed a desire to attend future BUILD conferences, citing an increased passion for leadership. Ng Yuan Xin encapsulated this sentiment, stating that the event made participants “more passionate about leadership.”
In conclusion, the BUILD leadership conference proved to be a memorable and impactful event, leaving a lasting impression on the students. MCKL believes that everyone has the potential to lead, and these conferences serve as a catalyst for discovering and nurturing that potential in the leaders of tomorrow.
Event Highlights
