Teo Kok Wei, a PhD student from the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABU) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), was among the representatives from the Postgraduate Students Society (PGSS) who participated in the Global Student Leaders Summit 2024 (GSLS ’24). The summit, held from 9 to 10 September 2024 at Istanbul University’s Faculty of Political Sciences, marked a significant event in fostering international leadership and academic collaboration.
The GSLS 2024, organized by the Council of Leadership and Training of Malaysian Universities (MAKLUM) under the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE), focused on the theme ‘Nurturing Tomorrow’s Global Leaders’. The summit brought together student leaders from Malaysia and various countries for keynote addresses, research presentations, leadership forums, and a study tour of Istanbul.
Teo presented his research paper titled ‘Artificial Intelligence-Based Wayfinding Systems in Recreational Parks: Enhancing Elderly Navigation and User Experience’. His work, which explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in improving accessibility and user experience in public spaces, contributed to the academic discourse on smart cities and inclusive design. The participation of Teo and other postgraduate representatives from UTM underscores the university’s commitment to fostering innovative research and leadership in various fields.
The Opening Ceremony on 9 September featured speeches from notable leaders, including Professor Dr. Cemil Kaya, Deputy Rector of Istanbul University, and Hirman Awang, Director of the Student Affairs Division, MOHE, both of whom emphasized the crucial role of student leadership in global cooperation. Distinguished keynote speakers, including Prof. Dr. Shaharum Shamsuddin from Universiti Sains Malaysia and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Feyza Nur Tuncer-Kılınç from Istanbul University, shared their insights on leadership, science, and the transformative power of education.
During the summit, participants also had the opportunity to engage in a leadership dialogue on ‘Global Leadership: The Role of Student Leaders in Shaping a Better World’, moderated by Wan Amsyar Hadie Wan Mahadi. The panel featured prominent postgraduate leaders from countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Türkiye, and Russia.
Teo Kok Wei’s involvement in GSLS’24 not only highlighted his academic contributions but also reinforced UTM’s dedication to empowering students to become global leaders. Through this platform, participants are encouraged to become change-makers, contributing to the betterment of society both locally and globally.
In the Name of God for Mankind