Limkokwing University showed its continuous support to the fostering of global relationships with its participation in the Malaysia Global Business Forum - Bosnia, which was recently held at the Borneo Convention Center Kuching. 

This forum served as a platform for enhancing global business cooperation with Malaysia and to facilitate Malaysian businesses to invest and penetrate the global market. Bosnia Herzegovina, in particular, was featured as an example of a successful relationship fostered between Malaysia and a partner country. 

Former Malaysian Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed, who was the chairperson for the closed-door session meeting between Malaysia and Bosnia during the forum was in high spirits to greet the Bosnian student ambassadors led by Bosnian lecturers Nejira Salihbasic and Mirza Vejzagic who were present as Limkokwing University representatives, as they were testimony to the venture between Malaysia and Bosnia, which he initiated during his tenure as Prime Minister. 

Tiffanee Marie Lim, Special Assistant to the President, reiterated the on-going relationship that Limkokwing University had with Bosnia Herzegovina, which first began when founder of Limkokwing University, Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Lim Kok Wing, initiated a worldwide awareness and fundraising campaign. This movement involved the publication of two books- the first being ‘Bosnia- Beyond Words, Beyond Tears’ and the second ‘Bosnia Today’, an exhibition and the Global Appeal website to raise funds to rebuild the country. 

The efforts put forth by Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Lim Kok Wing and the Limkokwing University were not in vain as the suffering of the people, as well as their strength and resilience were highlighted and brought to the attention to everyone in the world. This went hand in hand with the intentions Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamed, who wanted to play a more active humanitarian role in restoring the war-ravaged nation.

The people of Bosnia, particularly the students and staff of Limkokwing University today, did not forget this endeavour, as they shared their thoughts and feelings about the efforts done for their country. 

“Mahathir is a true friend of Bosnia Herzegovina and a good supporter of our late President Alija Izetbegovic,” said Nejira Salihbasic, a lecturer in Industrial Design at Limkokwing University. 

“It is because of his undying support that we were given the opportunity to an education here in Malaysia,” she added. 

Currently, Limkokwing University has more than 15 students enrolled, five of whom have just graduated recently, and more than 100 Bosnian students are studying in Malaysia. 

To encourage students from Bosnia to study in Sarawak, Limkokwing will be offering 10 partial scholarships for any of the diploma courses conducted here. 

Limkokwing Business student, Tarik Resic, also expressed his gratitude at the opportunity he was given to come to Malaysia as a student. “In Bosnia, Malaysian degrees are highly revered and to be a Malaysian graduate is seen to be extremely prestigious,” he said. 

“Our experiences here in Malaysia and at Limkokwing University have really allowed us to grow, both academically and mentally. We are grateful for everything we have learnt in Malaysia and will return home with our knowledge and work towards developing our nation,” he added. 

Creativity in Humanitarian Issues ties in with Limkokwing’s corporate social responsibility. With 30,000 students from 150 countries in 12 campuses worldwide, students are encouraged to be informed, participate and take part in global issues that instill civic consciousness.