Tan Sri Dr Limkokwing - The Global Educator

The Globalist Malaysia - 2 August 2010

Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr Limkokwing Father of Innovation in Creative Education

Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr Limkokwing’s extraordinary life journey has been closely linked with the economic and social development of Malaysia. And over the past two decades his endeavours to build capacity for the developing world has contributed to empowering a new generation with knowledge and skills that sharpen the economic competitiveness of these countries.

Essentially he is a man who endeavours to succeed so others may succeed. His aspirations touch the growth of industry itself. Whether it is SMEs, creative industries or the education sector, he has helped to raise the quality benchmark. He brings large-scale changes and evokes social innovation.

Limkokwing University: A model for innovation in global education

He is President and Chief Innovation Officer of the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, a global university with campuses in 3 continents that offer international degrees and diplomas in a wide range of design, communications, multimedia, business and IT disciplines. The 11 campuses are located in eight countries in key cities such as Beijing and London as well as Gaborone in Botswana, South Africa.

Over 30,000 students from more than 150 countries intermingle in a new kind of learning that encourages cross-pollination of ideas and inspires universal tolerance in the world’s next generation of leaders and industry professionals.

The University that Tan Sri Lim founded in 1991, has been described as a remarkable institution that is taking education to new heights of excellence. He has fused industry professionalism into the curriculum resulting in on-campus business units that excel in design, publishing, film/video production, web services, music design and recording studios, brand management, event management, F&B retail outlets, commercial enterprises among many others. These provide students with hands-on practical experiences unmatched by any other institutions of higher education in Malaysia and abroad.

21st century philanthropist

For Tan Sri Limkokwing philanthropy goes beyond dollars to make sense. He has redefined philanthropy to embrace a wider perspective. He includes the future of youth, the welfare of nations and the unity of people as important milestones to achieve. For 40 years he has worked on issues related to the removal of nuclear weapons, landmines, and the abolition of apartheid to prevention of war.

Forbes the prestigious international magazine singled out four Malaysians among 48 Asians as Heroes of Philanthropy. Among them is Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Limkokwing.

Promoting peace around the world

Among Tan Sri Lim’s memorable campaigns was the global appeal for the re-construction of a badly war-torn Bosnia Herzegovina in the mid 1990s.

His work with Nelson Mandela during the voter education exercise for South Africa’s first democratically-held general election in 1994 reflects his concern for peace. His recommendation for the visual signature of the campaign by the ANC (African National Congress) where Mandela is surrounded by children of all races reached out and touched hearts and minds of South Africans.

His establishment of the Malaysian World Peace Foundation addresses misconceptions about Muslims, building respect between global communities.

“I have known Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr Limkokwing for many years. A creative thinker he always responds with sincerity to assist the Government overcome many socio-economic issues. The title recently bestowed upon him as Father of Innovation in Creative Education by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, speaks volumes of his endeavours in shaping the delivery of education to produce the calibre required to move industry to new levels of excellence.”

YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak Prime Minister, Malaysia, May 2010

“He has a lot of ideas and the way he puts his ideas forward makes them very interesting. I was quite impressed with his ability to communicate and because of that i thought he would be very useful for the Government. I think he ans his ideas have given me ideas myself. His innovative ideas can come out if he studies anything. If say the Government has got a plan, and the way the plan is to be implemented is spelt out but if he were to study the plan, he might be able to come out with other ways of carrying forward the plan. This, I think, is something not many people have. The ability to see, understand the plan and see its implementation in ways other than what has been spelt out. ”

YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad Former Prime Minister of Malaysia, January 2010

“Your untiring efforts on our behalf have touched the hearts of us all and you have shown true friendship and solidarity with the people of South Africa. The size and magnitude of your contribution will have a very meaningful impact on the outcome of the election and, on behalf of the people of South Africa, I thank you.”

H.E. Nelson R. Mandela Former President, Republic of South Africa, April 1994

“I would like to bestow Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing with the title ‘Father of Innovation in Creative Education’ in Malaysia and the region. Coming from the country's Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, I truly think that the title is very deserved. ‘Father of Innovation in Creative Education’, in Malaysia, in the region and, in fact, globally. I think his record speaks for itself.”

YB Datuk Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia, August 2009

“I am, indeed, greatly encouraged by Lim Kok Wing's investment in Botswana. I have heard it said that ordinary leaders direct, great leaders instruct, but the greatest of leaders inspire. Our young people here are so inspired, it is impressive.”

H.E.Mr Festus G. Mogae President, Republic of Botswana, Launching of Limkokwing University Botswana 2007

“Tan Sri Dato Dr. Lim Kok Wing. All Basotho are indebted to him for this unique institution which is an in valuable contribution to our education system. We do realize the painful labour he and his team had to go through for this institution to be brought and we thank him for his endurance, his patience and his determination. Indeed, It is my firm conviction that Lesotho will never be the same again.”

H.E The Right Honourable Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili Prime Minister, Kingdom of Lesotho Official Opening Of Limkokwing Lesotho, 2008

“In Korea we are astounded by the courage and foresight of Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Lim Kok Wing. Single-handedly he has built a global presence in a way no other university has achieved. That this university is Asian fills me with a lot of pride that one of our own, an Asian university, has created history by being in places that we would never have dreamt of being.

Professor Dr Kim Bum-Joon, Executive Vice-President of SeoKyeong University, South Korea, July 2009

“If I were in the committee of those who award the Nobel Prize, I would definitely recommend him. The presence of the Limkokwing University in Lesotho is like a miracle. He has changed the landscape of education in Lesotho.”

H.E. Ntsebe Kokome High Commissioner to Malaysia for the Kingdom of Lesotho, January 2010

Limkokwing University Innovative education to empower the global net generation

Matching knowledge and skills to 21st century industry needs

As a university of the 21st century we are compelled to look forward and attempt to visualize what the future will look like. This enables us to gauge the new trends in technology, new discoveries and new research that we need to dovetail into the university’s curriculum otherwise the learning that we have now will become obsolete when students graduate. Their skills and knowledge will be useless and they will end up doing jobs that have nothing to do with their training.

It is important to avoid creating a mismatch between what students learn in schools and what careers demand of people when they graduate and seek employment. The paper chase has grown very intense. The education sector offers the student a bewildering number of courses they can study. But it is important that parents don’t just look at obtaining the best degrees without checking out how else a college education can benefit their children.

Cross-cultural experiences important for the new graduate

The Limkokwing University seeks to build deep cultural appreciation in the next global generation. We want to produce global graduates who are at ease with any culture, who understand the spiritual background and sacred traditions, who are able to circumvent and navigate through difficult situations because of this understanding. We provide all our students this opportunity to expand their classroom learning with a global experience that will stand them in good stead when they begin their careers.

A global campus for a globalised world

At Limkokwing students from all over the world pursue international qualifications in programmes that are constantly re-designed to keep pace with a world that is evolving in exciting ways. The presence of different cultures is a unique part of our identity and in fact, an important part of who we are. We encourage this intermingling because careers today demand human capital that is culture-sensitive and able to communicate with the world with ease.

Business dealings are now in real time and speed of response determines business success. How fast deals are closed will depend very much on the calibre of those employed in these negotiations. The same goes to those working in government or within non-government organizations. Globalisation is a reality that students must take into account when deciding their choice of not just careers but also the campus that can provide them with the best exposure to excel in such a competitive field.

“Today Limkokwing University is recognised as one of the leading universities of its kind. Limkokwing University’s presence abroad provides a strong platform to spearhead the globalisation of Malaysian education.”

YABhg Tun Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi Former Prime Minister of Malaysia,October 2007

“I cannot ignore the fact that you are indeed doing things very differently. And you are a really different university, a university unique in its own class.You are a class of your own. You are making Malaysia proud because I believe you are the only one that is really helping and contributing towards the success of other countries in the world today.”

YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin Minister of Higher Education, December 2008

“This is a highly reputable international university, well known for its ability to empower young people with skills in digital technology and the creative knowledge that is needed to excel in a fast-changing global environment.”

H.E. Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Teco Hun Sen Prime Minister, Kingdom of Cambodia, January 2008

“This university will help us to create the knowledge and skill workers Lesotho needs. It’s our hope to transform Lesotho by tapping into the creativity of our young people and build them into leaders who will be well-equipped to take Lesotho into a new future. Lesotho will not be the same again.”

H.E. The Right Honourable Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, October 2008

“He has invested time and money to make the University the most hi-tech institution of higher education in Botswana. He has brought Botswana to the world and the world to Botswana through the website that has over 108 million hits a year from 190 countries worldwide.”

H.E. Festus G. Mogae Former President, Republic of Botswana,March 2010

“From Asia to Europe to Africa – in all your campuses abroad you have innovated a new approach to global education. This is a remarkable accomplishment, matched by no other institution of higher education.”

Maurice Dimmock Accreditation Services for International Colleges, UK, May 2009

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