By Murniati Abu Karim
Photo by Ikhwan Hashim
BANGI, May 6, 2024 – The AsiaEngage Regional Conference 2024 (AE 2024) convened academics, innovators, and entrepreneurs to delve into crucial issues, exchange insights, and propose solutions concerning social entrepreneurship.
Themed Young Social Entrepreneurship for the Sustainable Growth of ASEAN Community and Beyond, AE 2024 marks the sixth iteration of this biennial gathering.
The main objective of the AE2024 Conference is to provide a platform with a new approach to knowledge transfer and sharing through interaction involving the mutual use of expertise and platform sharing, especially among Higher Education Institutions, industry, communities, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations to enhance the quality of life, especially for youth in ASEAN and the region in the field of social entrepreneurship.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Deputy Vice-Chancellor Industry and Community Partnerships Affairs, Prof. Dato’ Ts. Dr. Norazah Mohd Nordin, emphasized that universities possess the potential to cultivate a rapidly evolving social entrepreneurship ecosystem if steered effectively.
“While youth unemployment remains a significant global challenge, social entrepreneurship offers a promising avenue for youth to contribute to sustainable development and foster inclusive job creation.
“Youth possess the capacity to drive positive change. Their spirit, creativity, and determination position them as leaders in the realm of social entrepreneurship, where their innovations or products can yield tangible societal impacts,” she noted.
Furthermore, she highlighted that institutions of higher learning like UKM serve as hubs for creativity and collaboration, uniting students, faculty members, and community stakeholders to address complex societal issues.
“Through fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and forging cross-sectoral partnerships, UKM fosters an environment conducive to the flourishing of social entrepreneurship,” she added.
AE 2024 was inaugurated by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Ts. Mustapha Sakmud.
This conference is organized by the ASEAN University Network Thematic Network for University Social Responsibility and Sustainability (AUN USR&S) Secretariat, headquartered at the Centre for Industry and Community Partnerships (I-COMM) UKM.
