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The Asean Spirit Emanates At The IMT-GT Meet
"In an effort to recognize the important role of the IMT-GT, all parties need to jointly intensify efforts to foster a better spirit of unity and unite the lasting friendship amongst all IMT-GT members in the hopes of building a solid foundation for a better future."
Such was the message delivered by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hendrik Lamsali at a dinner banquet that honoured the IMT-GT delegation at EDC Hotels & Resorts recently.
The annually held event encouraged the collaboration among countries namely Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand to bring together sports, culture and seminar events under one roof.
According to him, the IMT-GT was aimed at fostering students’ engagement as well as becoming a platform to review, update networking, collaborate, and foster understanding and friendship.
He said in a world that had symbiotic relation, peace, independence, social justice and economic prosperity were achieved by fostering good understanding, good neighbourly relations and cooperation among countries in the region that were bound by historical and cultural links.
"Therefore, through the IMT-GT, we must ensure the important concept of IMT-GT Spirit as it is the reality applied to all students.
"It's our job to ensure students really feel that they are part of the ASEAN community and the future of ASEAN is their future.
"This is why the IMT-GT plays an important role in nurturing future leaders who make significant contributions in their respective countries.
"The small differences in the ASEAN community are inevitable. In a multi-racial country such as Malaysia we live with ethnic diversity, but the differences make us stronger.
"We believe that the way to rid of dissent is through tolerance, understanding and mutual respect. That's the ASEAN way and the spirit of ASEAN.
"We are prepared to face the challenges and commit ourselves to embarking on a strategy to move to a higher level so we must ensure that the relations of all IMT-GT members continue to be consolidated," he added.
In the meantime, he also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the organising committee of the 28th IMT-GT Carnival Dinner and Carnival Coordination Meeting as well as all delegates who came from far and wide to attend the programme and exchange ideas.