Activities for the BXAI’s Asian Future Leaders Scholarship Program (AFLSP) for the fall semester of the 2020–21 academic year were rounded off in Peking University. The Yenching Academy of Peking University provided activities focused on “Social Influence and Leadership”, organizing six online meetings 23 October–4 December 2020.
Social entrepreneurs, NGO and startup founders and leadership trainers across sectors in East Asia, including Jasmine Lau from PIM Global and Robin Takashi Lewis from Mymizu and Social Innovation Japan, shared their stories and experiences in contributing to SDGs in East Asia, such as partnerships for the goals, quality education, responsible consumption and production, and good health and well-being.
Eight students from YCA, School of International Studies, and School of Electronic and Computer Engineering were accepted as 2020 BXAI Scholars of Peking University and participated in the semester’s AFLSP online activities.
Minwoong Hwang, 2020 Yenching Scholar from South Korea said, “I talked about SDGs with industry-insiders and professionals for the first time. I had read about SDGs in text-and-paper only before. But in the BXAI activities this semester, I saw how people worked to achieve their goals in this field. It was a precious experience for me. I gained a lot.”
Yuan Zeng Ashley Tan, 2020 Yenching Scholar from Singapore felt grateful for BXAI, Yenching Academy and Peking University, because he “had this opportunity to listen to so many excellent guest panelists and learn to think like a leader. The best thing I learnt from them was how to overcome difficulties. All the guest panelists in the six online meetings have duly contributed in the areas they love. I believe I’ll be a good leader and contribute to positive social influence.”
Okamoto Kishou, 2020 Yenching Scholar from Japan sat in leadership training for the first time, “I learnt many that can’t be learnt in classroom, such as how to think in a methodological manner and how to build systematic thinking. It helps to solve complicated social issues. What’s more, I could listen to and talk with social entrepreneurs. I think it’s an invaluable experience. We’ve been inspired and encouraged to engage ourselves in solving social problems.”
Under the administration of Hong Kong-based Bai Xian Education Foundation and Bai Xian Asia Institute (BXAI), the AFLSP was started at the initiative of Mr. Ronald K. Y. Chao. The Program aims to cultivate next generation of Asian leaders and is a platform for students and educational institutions to nourish lasting relationships based on mutual trust and understanding—essential tools for building bridges across cultures.
