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June 25, 2015
Four Students Selected to Represent Philippines at the 13th Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative (HYLI)
Students to join delegates from seven countries at the regional forum in Manila, from 27-30 July 2015
Students from various universities in the Philippines were meticulously selected to represent the Philippines in the coming 13th HYLI. In photo (from left) are: Marc Wendolf Duque (ADMU), Danielle Marie Cang (DLSU), Mitsuhiko Shimizu (General Manager of Hitachi Asia Ltd. – Philippines Branch), Former SC Justice Antonio Eduardo Nachura, Raphael Justin Jambalos (UP), and Ariel Joseph Nipas (UST).
Manila, Philippines, 25 June 2015 – Hitachi Asia Ltd. today announced the university students selected to represent the Philippines at the 13th Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative (HYLI). The event, which will be held in Manila, Philippines from 27 – 30 July 2015, will 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 the Philippines are:
- Danielle Marie Cang, De La Salle University
- Marc Wendolf Duque, Ateneo de Manila
- Raphael Justin Jambalos, University of the Philippines
- Ariel Joseph Nipas, University of Sto. Tomas
They were selected after passing a rigorous application and evaluation process that included a panel interview chaired by Former Supreme Court Justice Antonio Eduardo Nachura. 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 – University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, Mapua Institute of Technology, and University of San Carlos – were eligible to apply.
Mr. Hirohiko Morisaki, Managing Director of Hitachi Asia Ltd. said, “HYLI demonstrates Hitachi’s commitment to contribute to ASEAN’s future development and sustainability. We recognize 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.”
“As Hitachi’s flagship corporate social responsibility program in Southeast Asia, HYLI brings together student participants and subject experts from the region, to facilitate a holistic discussion on the challenges faced as one entity,” he added.
HYLI originally started with six countries – Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Japan. The resounding success of the program encouraged Hitachi to expand the initiative to include Vietnam beginning the 8th HYLI, and to further extend the invitation to Myanmar students for the 13th HYLI. Through the continuous expansion of this program, Hitachi will be able to develop more student leaders across ASEAN to aid in the region’s growth and further strengthen socio-cultural ties between Japan and ASEAN member states.
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 program.
The main theme for this year’s HYLI is “ASEAN Perspectives on the Social and Environmental Challenges of Designing and Implementing Public Transportation Systems.” Public transportation is essential as ASEAN aims to be more inter-connected like that of the EU’s. ASEAN countries Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines will spend US$296 billion on transport infrastructure (namely roads, railways, airports and ports) through 20201, which is evident of how important, yet lacking, transportation infrastructure is in this region. Discussions at the 13th HYLI will therefore center on the three sub-themes:
- A snapshot of the current state of urbanization and sustainability in ASEAN
- An overview of the infrastructural options for people-centric and environment-friendly transportation systems
- Shaping a culture of sharing: Lifestyle changes for efficient transportation
Guest-of-honor Mr. 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.
1“An overview of infrastructure opportunities in ASEAN”, KPMG, 2014
About Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative (HYLI)
The “Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative” (HYLI) is a community relations programme that aims to identify and nurture potential Asian leaders by bringing them together to discuss regional issues with influential government officials, prominent business leaders, academics and NGO representatives. Since its inauguration in Singapore in 1996, the HYLI has been successful in bringing the best and brightest students in Asia together. From 2015, Myanmar will join existing participating countries Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan in the program. The initiative offers student participants a unique platform to broaden their outlook on regional and global issues while promoting Asian values and cross-cultural understanding.
For more information, please visit http://www.hitachi.com/csr/sc/activities/hyli/.
About Hitachi Asia Ltd.
Hitachi Asia Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. and established in Singapore in 1989, has offices across seven Asian countries (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. For more information on Hitachi Asia, please visit the company’s website at https://www.hitachi.com.sg.