11th Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative launched

Themed “The New Stage for Asia – an Asian Perspective on Managing Sustainable Development and Economic Integration”, the 11th HYLI has two sub-themes that will be discussed are (1) Energy and the Environment (2) Economic Partnership and Integration.

Toshiaki Kuzuoka, senior vice president and executive officer, Hitachi, Ltd. said, “The line-up of speakers for the 11th HYLI impresses with their prominence and standing in the Asian community. We are very heartened to receive such strong support from these leaders who share our belief in grooming Asian youths with strong leadership potential.”

“Cultivating our next generation leaders has always been at the top of Hitachi’s CSR agenda. While we provide these young leaders a conduit to gather and discuss on issues, it would not be possible without the endorsement from these great leaders of today,” Kuzuoka added.

Since its inauguration in Singapore in 1996, HYLI has been successful in bringing the best and brightest students in Asia together. Each year, four outstanding students below the age of 28 are chosen to represent their country for the programme. These students come from seven Asian countries namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan.

As a regional programme, HYLI aims to provide a platform for young Asians to gather and meet prominent Asian policymakers, professionals and commentators to discuss and share ideas on trends which affect Asia.


Kiyoshi Kinugawa, chairman of Hitachi Asia Ltd. said, “HYLI is a good opportunity for Asian young leaders to broaden their outlook on regional and global issues affecting Asia today as part of the process of their leadership development. We hope that the students will benefit from the insights which will be shared by these speakers from varied backgrounds.”

A total of 10 universities in Vietnam participated in this year’s selection process, the strongest participation so far. Applicants came from six universities in Hanoi – National Economic University, Foreign Trade University, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi University of Science & Technology, Hanoi University and four universities in Ho Chi Minh City – HCMC Foreign Trade University, HCMC University of Economics, HCMC University of Social Sciences and Humanities, HCMC University of Science & Technology.

All student applicants were put through a rigorous selection process based on their academic results, participation in extra-curricular activities, awards achieved, English language proficiency and knowledge of current regional issues.

The final four students who stood out among all the outstanding applicants are: Hoang Minh Thong, Faculty of International Relations of HCMC University of Social Sciences & Humanities; Nguyen Truong Song Pha, Faculty of Business Administration of HCMC Foreign Trade University; Nguyen Ngoc Quynh, Faculty of English of Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam; and Dao Le Trang Anh, Faculty of Advanced Program - Corporate Finance of National Economic University.

Hitachi, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 360,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2010 (ended March 31, 2011) consolidated revenues totaled 9,315 billion yen ($112.2 billion).