“It is my sincere hope that Limkokwing, along with the Innovation Centre, will work closely with the government to realise our common objectives of developing a dynamic and talented pool of graduates to strengthen our human capital, and of promoting Malaysia as a premier destination for quality education in the world.” — Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (October 2004)

Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi recently launched the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in Cyberjaya, marking the beginning of a new era for the university college. Along with its professional arm, the Malaysia Design & Innovation Centre, Limkokwing is today better positioned to help propel the country in terms of creativity and innovation.

More than 1,000 guests, including Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Shafie Salleh; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis; and Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, attended the grand and colourful opening ceremony that saw Limkokwing students out in full force to welcome the Prime Minister. Other distinguished guests included Deputy Minister of Higher Education Dato’ Fu Ah Kiow, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dato’ Kong Cho Ha, ambassadors and high commissioners, heads of colleges and universities, as well as CEOs of numerous companies.

Helping Tan Sri Lim play host were Tan Sri Awang Had Salleh, chairman of the Limkokwing governing council; and Tan Sri Datuk Dr Aris Othman, chairman of MDI.

A mixture of international and Malaysian students, mostly dressed in traditional costumes, awaited Dato’ Seri Abdullah’s arrival at the Limkokwing Plaza. A thunderous applause greeted the Prime Minister who was then ushered to the centre of the plaza where a choir group on stage welcomed him with a sajak (poetry).

The Prime Minister toured the Limkokwing Library and the Best of Malaysia Showcase 2004 being held at the Design Museum, before heading for the Hall of Fame where he gave his address.

Wonderland of a creative centre

Dato’ Seri Abdullah was clearly impressed with the campus, expressing his “delight to hear the choir sing”.

The Prime Minister was clearly in a light-hearted mood. “Never before have I seen a choir like this, made up of foreign students. Not even the UN has this. It’s like promoting world peace and understanding,” he said in jest, halfway through his address.

“I was taken on a tour of this wonderland of a creative centre and saw products of creative talent and energy by your young people and your staff. Kok Wing must have thought I was tired. When I am happy, I am not tired.

“And later when we went up to his room, he showed me yet another product of creative talent. You’d never guess what it is - durian coffee!” he said, drawing laughter from the full house.

“One of the things that made me happy was the sight of so many children of different colour, size and height screaming, clapping and shouting. They were happy, and to me this is an indication of them being happy,” Dato’ Seri Abdullah said, adding that the students must really feel at home to look so happy.

Premier destination for quality education

Dato’ Seri Abdullah expressed his confidence in Limkokwing, saying, “I’d like to congratulate Limkokwing for the successful establishment of its new campus. I am sure your university will be a centre of excellence, not only among the best in Malaysia but also in the region, and hopefully the best in the world.

“I am confident that both the university college and the Innovation Centre will play a leading role in developing skilled human resource in the creative fields for the benefit of Malaysia and the wider world.

“It is my sincere hope that Limkokwing, along with the Innovation Centre, will work closely with the government to realise our common objectives of developing a dynamic and talented pool of graduates to strengthen our human capital, and of promoting Malaysia as a premier destination for quality education in the world.”

Tan Sri Lim, in his address, thanked Dato’ Seri Abdullah for his support over the years. “The Prime Minister has been a constant source of encouragement. He has reminded me occasionally to put my knowledge to good use in helping the country strengthen its competitiveness.

“This is one of the things I have been doing. I do hope the Prime Minister is pleased with what I have done here. I certainly hope he’ll see that I have made some improvement since the time I first served under him 30 years ago.”

Tan Sri Lim also thanked former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for being “a great believer of what we do”. “He has been an inspiration to everyone of us. If not for his unwavering support, we would not be where we are today.”

Cool and happening campus

He described the new campus as a “cool and happening campus” and a “huge multi-disciplinary creative centre”. “We have created a place where it is a pleasure to learn and where learning is a pleasure. As you can see, everything has been meticulously designed and carefully art directed. Every piece of work is carefully curated. Nothing is unimportant, so nothing is left to chance.

Celebrating creativity

“This is a place where creativity is obvious and celebrated, where creativity is vigorously applied, demonstrated, learned and practised every second, every minute, every hour of the day. What you see and what you hear have been designed to stimulate and motivate.”

Tan Sri Lim also explained how the campus has created real enterprise. “Our students will learn as they observe, and as they practise to learn. We engage students in pursuits that will create new concepts and new perspectives that industry is looking for - to innovate its products, redesign its packaging, rebuild its image, or to introduce new concepts that will improve efficiency in agro-based industries.”

On MDI, Tan Sri Lim said the centre serves as an essential bridge that links design to manufacturing, academia to business, innovators to industry leaders and R&D to industry.

“Through the Innovation Centre, a number of domestic and international bridges have now been built. These include the Malaysia-Italy Design Council, the ASEAN Multimedia Institute, the National Creativity & Innovation Institute and the Malaysian Content Creation Council and the Designers & Animators Guild.”

Tan Sri Lim said Limkokwing students benefit from multicultural, multinational campus that is inspiring and mind expanding. “Through interaction, students become more culturally sensitive, more caring, more tolerant and more aware of global issues”.

Tan Sri Lim ended his address by reassuring the Prime Minister that “we will be relentless in our effort to build a campus you can be proud of”.