Four Vietnamese students selected to join Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative

The event will also bring together prominent regional opinion leaders from the private, public and academic sectors to discuss regional transportation issues and engage in dialogue with the student participants. The students will work together to present their ideas about how these issues can be addressed.

The students chosen to represent Vietnam are Dinh Quang Noc from Hanoi Foreign Trade University; Le Thi Cam Linh, from RMIT Vietnam University; Pham Dang Thao Chi from Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Science and Humanities and Nguyen Dinh Dang Khoa from Ho Chi Minh Foreign Trade University.

They were selected after passing a rigorous application and evaluation process that included a panel interview chaired by Pham Chi Lan, former secretary general & vice president at the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and former senior adviser to the prime minister under the Prime Ministerial Research Committee.

All of them possess academic excellence, good extra-curricular activities record, displayed strong leadership qualities, keen interest in regional and global affairs, and are fluent in English.

Students from six universities – Ho Chi Minh University of Social Sciences & Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City, Foreign Trade University – Hanoi, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, Foreign Trade University – Ho Chi Minh City, RMIT University Vietnam – Hanoi and RMIT University Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City – were eligible to apply.

“HYLI demonstrates Hitachi’s commitment to contribute to ASEAN’s future development and sustainability. We recognise that the next generation of young leaders will bring about a better ASEAN, and as a responsible corporate citizen, Hitachi is providing the platform to nurture the next generation,” said Hirohiko Morisaki, managing director of Hitachi Asia Ltd.

HYLI originally started with six countries – Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Japan.

The resounding success of the programme encouraged Hitachi to expand the initiative to include Vietnam beginning the eighth HYLI, and to further extend the invitation to Myanmar students for this thirteenth HYLI.

Since its establishment by Hitachi, Ltd. in 1996, HYLI has brought together 280 students of diverse nationalities and backgrounds in Asia. Each year, four outstanding students below the age of 28 are chosen to represent their country for the programme.

The main theme for this year’s HYLI is “ASEAN Perspectives on the Social and Environmental Challenges of Designing and Implementing Public Transportation Systems.”

Discussions at the thirteenth HYLI will therefore center on the three sub-themes: A snapshot of the current state of urbanisation and sustainability in ASEAN; an overview of the infrastructural options for people-centric and environment-friendly transportation systems and shaping a culture of sharing: Lifestyle changes for efficient transportation.

As planned, guest-of-honour Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya, Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications, Philippines, will deliver the opening address and keynote speech on the first day.

This will be followed by panel discussions with transport experts in the region. Hitachi will also share its knowledge and expertise in solving global transportation issues in its aim to improve quality of life for the region’s development.

Hitachi Asia Ltd. is a subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd, a leading global electronics company.

The company, established in Singapore in 1989, has offices across seven Asian countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, Hitachi Asia’s business includes information systems, power and industrial systems, R&D, international procurement and Centre of Excellence.