Mel Gibson
Actor/Director, Limkokwing Honorary Fellow, Film & TV, 2013
This is an institution into the pursuit of the arts and it’s amazing to see so many people. It’s overwhelming speaking to people from all around.
04 June 2013
Mel whose full name is Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson, is 52, and he studied at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, Sydney. The Aussie made a name for himself after starring in the Mad Max and Lethal Weapon movie series.
This is an institution into the pursuit of the arts and it’s amazing to see so many people. It’s overwhelming speaking to people from all around.
He won the Oscar for best actor and director award for the historical movie Braveheart which also won Best Picture honours. He directed and produced other movies including the highly controversial The Passion of the Christ, and Apocalypto. He was ranked the world’s most powerful celebrity in the Forbes magazine annual list in 2004.
Mel, as he is affectionately known is truly a movie star adored by millions of fans around the world for his inspiring, lead role and sometimes comedic performance in his films.
Mel at Limkokwing
Mel Gibson arrived at the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology on 10th September 2007, along with his producer friend Bruce Davey and Petra Group president Datuk Vinod Sekhar.
Receiving a tremendous ovation from students at the university, Mel Gibson gave a talk on “His Journey” at the Hall of Fame theatre.
Overwhelmed with the response, Mel described Limkokwing as “a very impressive institution”.
“I know that this is an institution of the arts but you have anywhere from hair design, fashion, to animation to film!”
Limkokwing truly an international campus
Gibson on arrival at the Cyberjaya campus, toured the facilities including the Presidential library, lifestyle film and television academy, the Sound and Music Academy, Fashion and Retail school.
He was also amazed during the visit over the international feeling in the campus as he felt like addressing to people throughout the world.
“This is an institution into the pursuit of the arts and it’s amazing to see so many people. It’s overwhelming speaking to people from all around (the world).”
Answering on questions about the future of film making he said that it is going digital where you can see everything.
He also advised on the young students to work hard and follow their hearts desires.
“You have to follow your dreams. It’s intensely interesting. You are here and you have a gift and you spend some time in your youth, honing your gift. You have to cope with what you are born with.
Hone and refine what you are born with and channel that out. You have to be inspired and engaged.”
Mel Gibson and Bruce Davey who also co-produced Braveheart were awarded honorary fellowship in Performing Arts by the university.
Tan Sri Lim on Mel Gibson and Bruce Davey
During their visit, founder president, Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Lim Kok Wing met up with them and described their presence and talk was inspiring.
Tan Sri Lim said it was enlightening to hear Mel Gibson spoke on computer-generated movies and the world of directing.
“Mel Gibson and Bruce Davey are among the most successful creative people in the world. They are huge icons and their movies are watched by millions. Their presence on campus alone would be inspiring to those studying to be film producer, director and other positions in the field of film and television.”
“With the Limkokwing Film & Television Academy in place, the university has now gone full fledged with lifestyle education.
Tan Sri Lim said the university awarded the two Hollywood giants with honorary fellowship in order to tap into their talent.
“Our students would be able to learn from them as and when the opportunity presents itself,” he said.
Mel was not the only celebrity who visited the Limkokwing University campus, as in the past it had attracted diva Datuk Siti Nurhaliza Taruddin, Ning Baizura, actress Datin Seri Tiara Jacquelina, and also designer Eric Way.
With the arrival of the celebrities and the country’s leaders it provides a motivation for our local and international students to perform well as they have someone to look up to, someone who had already achieved success.
At Limkokwing University, we truly empower the next smart generation.
