By: Siti Aisah Harun
MANILA, Nov 26 – A Master of Science student from the Institute of Advanced Technology (ITMA), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Alya Hananin, 24, represented Malaysia at the Fifth ASEAN-Russia Youth Summit in Manila, the Philippines.
Alya was one of four Malaysian youth delegates to the international conference which was also attended by representatives from each ASEAN country and Russia.
She was selected to represent Malaysia after participating in a series of selection programmes which included essay writing, psychometric test, group assignment, public speaking and interview session conducted by the Ministry of Youth and Sports involving 5,000 candidates from all over Malaysia aged between 18 and 34 years old.
"I feel so fortunate to have been selected to participate in this programme and also proud to introduce the Malaysian cultures and UPM's name to ASEAN and Russian youths," she said.
The youth summit, themed “Enhancing People-to-People Connectivity between ASEAN and Russia" aimed at encouraging mutual understanding between ASEAN countries and Russia through discussions and cultural activities.
The summit has successfully drafted the Declaration of “Young People’s Contribution to ASEAN-Russia Relations: Enhancing People-to-People Connectivity” that focused on three core areas i.e. education, cultural exchange, and economic and trade exchange.
Since its inception, the youth summit has provided opportunities for youth from various institutions and organisations in the ASEAN countries and Russia to share their thoughts and ideas on ways to enhance ASEAN-Russia regional cooperation.
Participants of the youth summit also held a courtesy call on the President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, at his official residence, Malacañang Palace. – UPM
