A new chapter in the saga of creativity and innovation first written by Limkokwing University of Creative Technology since its inception in 1991 leapt out from the pages of planning into reality today.

At a simple but energy-charged launching ceremony, the Minister of Human Resources, Datuk Dr. S. Subramanian, declared open the Limkokwing Academy of Creativity & Innovation after which, he toured the temporary complex escorted by the President of Limkokwing University, Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Lim Kok Wing.

“I am very grateful that you actually decided to invite me to launch the Academy of Creativity and Innovation. Of course, through the Academy, you are going to open many more doors to build new skills and, I hope, unlock vast resources of talent and expertise that lie untapped in our citizens who otherwise do not have the opportunity to build their skills to access high income careers.”

Second chance to first class careers

Indeed, the holistic vision behind the Academy was to give Malaysian school leavers and youths who do not possess the entry levels a “second chance” to acquire 21st century skills in high income domains such as film & video-graphy, digital video and animation, web design, 3D animation and sound engineering, which are among the 38 diploma-courses it provides.

In his opening remarks, Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing said the Academy’s role is to equip students with new creative skills to help enhance the country’s competitiveness and fast-track students to high value careers in the creative industry.

“This is to meet the growing demand for new concepts, new ideas and new content, the new Academy has been designed to be skill-driven and totally industry relevant: so that it will require less time for students to complete their training and exit into industries where they will be experts in software engineering and web publishing, digital animation and product innovation, virtual reality and digital technology”.

Winning strategy

Tan Sri Lim also said if the endeavour succeeds, the nation succeeds as well, because it will have at its disposal a highly skilled, highly motivated and a highly innovative human resource to power nation-building.

“For us to achieve what has been clearly articulated by the Prime Minister in his vision of an innovation economy, we need to reinvent the way we develop and build our human capital”.

Fast track careers are designed here

The Academy, located in a new block within the Cyberjaya campus, is replete with high-tech facilities and equipment and it is due to be operational by September this year.

A member of the Limkokwing University network, the Academy offers 2-year diploma programmes, which are delivered by trained professionals with an accent on innovative hands-on learning and teaching methods.

Courses are affordable and come with an advantage – any institution in the country that accepts Prior Learning Experience will be able to convert the Limkokwing Academy programmes into credits for exemption – meaning that the diplomas also allow its graduates to further enhance their knowledge and skills in the future.

Creativity unlocks innovation

Earlier in his keynote address at the Worldwide Gallery, Datuk Dr. Subramaniam, told his audience that creativity is what drives the nation forward and the setting up the Academy was, therefore, vital and timely.

“Creativity and the ability to think and the creative ability to produce new ideas and new thoughts is vital and, I am sure, this Academy is well-equipped to provide the nation, its industries with training that will up-scale and up-skill its people. I am sure it will provide an alternate pathway where skills and talents will play an important role in determining the new human requirements for the country.”

Enterprising opportunities

The Academy of Creativity & Innovation is an empowerment accelerator where students acquire the best industry knowledge and graduate within two years ready to plunge into high value careers in multimedia and other high demand professions.

The more enterprising ones may want to think about establishing their own business or become a technopreneur to tap vast opportunities that await them as many companies and corporations are constantly sourcing for new talents, new skills and new innovation.

Impossible is possible

The launching event also had its poignant moments when young multi-talented Limkokwing alumni, Ruben Prakash, a graduate of multimedia design, spoke proudly of his accomplishment.

Ruben – an orphan who grew up under the care of Datin Paduka Mother Mangglam of the Pure Life Society – went on to secure a full scholarship from his benefactor, Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing, a philanthropist well known for his concern for underprivileged people.

“When I came to Limkokwing, I was afraid my peers would judge me because of where I was from, but my friends treated me like family and supported me. They never let me down. The lecturers were also very supportive and helpful. I thank Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing for designing this open free and creative campus environment.”

Self-discovery empowers

He said his 4-year scholarship at Limkokwing University was a life-changing transformation for him.
“Here, I made many friends. Here, I found my creativity. Here I found myself.”
A future trainer at the new Academy, Ruben is quite sure that anyone, even an orphan, can enter a “high income career pathway” when given the opportunity.

Tell your friends

Do you know of anyone who is searching for career fulfillment, someone who wants to acquire 21st century industry skills and land a career that will take him or her far beyond their wildest imaginations?

Limkokwing Academy of Creativity & Innovation is scheduled to start programmes on 13 September 2010, so call 603- 8317 8888, or visit the academy for priority attention.