Limkokwing encourages enterprising spirit in African youth

By Nurhafizah Tan

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- Since starting campuses in Botswana (2007), Lesotho (2008), Swaziland (2012) and Sierra Leonne (2017), the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology has produced more than 30,000 graduates. 

University founder and president, Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing, said that while transforming the academic landscape, the university also encourages its students to be enterprising and innovative in order to overcome high unemployment on the continent. 

"We want to change their mindset about looking for government jobs and instead encourage them to think about creating their own jobs. For example, the agriculture and craft industry in Lesotho has great potential for development.

"Even before the students graduate, for example, they are involved and contributing to the African batik industry, as well as the design and manufacture of the Basotho Blanket (Lesotho's traditional woollen tribal blanket) which can be marketed widely to increase the country's revenue," he told reporters from Malaysia who attended the Limkokwing Lesotho and Botswana graduation ceremonies recently.

Lim said the university is a place for the students to expand their skills and talents in order to develop their countries. 

"Our graduates have transformed their countries through their creative and technology-driven thinking. In Botswana, our graduates dominate the broadcasting industry as the majority of the players – presenters included -- are from Limkokwing,” he added.

Botswana Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology Minister, Ngaka Ngaka, said the university has empowered its young generation. 

"We need this in building a better country. Our musicians, for example, are now using technology to reach a global audience. They are able to design their own websites and have penetrated the international market with skills acquired at this university," he said. 

Lesotho’s Queen 'Masenate Mohato Seeiso praised the university in her speech for giving young women exposure to male-dominated sectors.

"This bears testimony to the fact that Limkokwing University is actively bridging the labour force gender gap that existed previously and largely in the technology, digital and creative sectors of our economy

"I am confident that through the unique and quality education offered by this university, Lesotho's government will achieve its obligations of reducing poverty, inequalities, unemployment and food shortages as envisaged in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals," she said. 

-- BERNAMA