YB Dato’ Seri DiRaja Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Malaysia's Minister of Higher Education, applauded Limkokwing University, describing it as a cornerstone of Malaysian academic excellence. He was particularly impressed by the University’s accomplishments in setting up campuses across the world.
He also praised its pioneering approach to creative arts education during his first visit to the campus on 23 April 2024. He highlighted its role in advancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes, including innovative micro-credential initiatives. These programmes, he noted, are crucial in equipping students with the practical skills and knowledge needed for Malaysia’s continued growth and global competitiveness.
YB Dato’ Seri DiRaja Dr Zambry was impressed with the showcase of students’ diverse artistic expressions and unconventional ideas. He stressed the importance of fostering divergent thinking to unlock the full spectrum of human creativity. “If you diverge a bit, then you diverge further, you will have a different perspective. What you have here in Limkokwing University, where you see the world and surroundings in a different way is a form of divergent view.”
The Minister lauded the university’s commitment to nurturing unique perspectives across various artistic disciplines, illustrating how this ethos aligns with the innovative thinking necessary for fields such as Artificial Intelligence. “When you want to talk about innovation for AI, for example, you need this. You have to begin with creativity. You need to have a creative mind,” he explained.
YB Dato’ Seri DiRaja Dr Zambry also commended Limkokwing for creating an environment that supported diverse intelligence and capabilities. “I firmly believe that all of us are given equal opportunity by God. We have been endowed with human capability, with similar brains but each of us has our innate capability,” he added. He noted the university success in transforming the lives of individuals both within Malaysia as well as overseas.
Recognising Limkokwing’s global presence, with campuses in Africa and Asia, YB Dato’ Seri DiRaja Dr Zambry expressed pride in the university’s role in empowering a global community. “We are very proud as Malaysians to hear our university everywhere in the world,” he said, “bringing everyone together, empowering them.”
As Limkokwing celebrates 35 years of nurturing creative talents, the Minister congratulated the university for its enduring contributions to education in Malaysia. “This is a very long journey to come to this stage. I must congratulate you for what you have achieved. This is a great accomplishment for our country,” he acknowledged.
YB Dato’ Seri DiRaja Dr Zambry outlined the connection between the country’s educational advancements and its broader development goals, particularly in adapting to new technologies like Artificial Intelligence.
Limkokwing University, as a hub of creative innovation attracting global talent, exemplifies Malaysia’s vision for educational excellence. His visit reaffirms the critical role that creativity will play in defining the nation’s future, emphasising the government’s commitment to transforming the higher education system to prioritise practical skills alongside traditional academic learning. This transformation is vividly embodied in Limkokwing’s philosophy of open-minded exploration across disciplines.
