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Hitachi Launches 13th Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative (PDF Type, 56 kByte)

July 27, 2015

Hitachi Launches 13th Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative

High-profile Regional Leaders gather in Manila to address pressing transportation issues

Singapore, 27 July 2015 – Hitachi Asia Ltd. today announced the official opening of the 13th Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative (HYLI). Mr. Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya, Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications of the Philippines, graced the event as Guest-of-honour.

This year, 31 top university student leaders from eight countries – Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan gathered in Manila to hold meaningful discussions with high-profile regional opinion leaders on pressing transportation challenges facing the ASEAN region.

The event, which is held between 27 and 30 July 2015, sees a strong line-up of speakers from the region.

Under the theme “ASEAN Perspectives on the Social and Environmental Challenges of Designing and Implementing Public Transportation Systems”, the first two days of forum discussion will centre around the following three sub-themes:

  1. A snapshot of the current state of urbanization and sustainability in ASEAN
  2. An overview of the infrastructural options for people-centric and environment-friendly transportation systems
  3. Shaping a culture of sharing: Lifestyle changes for efficient transportation

“For almost two decades, it has been extremely encouraging and heartening for us to be supported by many of the most respected and prominent leaders in the region. Their passion and enthusiasm in grooming the future generation has allowed HYLI to cultivate a strong community of leaders in ASEAN with a sound understanding of the region’s challenges. Our HYLI alumni will prove to be an important asset to bring about a brighter future for the region,” said Mr. Hirohiko Morisaki, Managing Director, Hitachi Asia Ltd.

This year, providing significant insights on Southeast Asia’s transportation issues to the HYLI delegates during the four-day event are (in order of speech):

  1. Mr. Arnel Paciano Casanova, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) from the Philippines
  2. Ms. Nana Soetantri, Transport Specialist, Regional and Sustainable Development Department, Asian Development Bank
  3. Prof Dr. Danang Parikesit, President of the Indonesia Transportation Society
  4. Dr. Somprasong Suttayamully, Director of Business Development, Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand
  5. Mr. Nobukazu Nagai, Director, International Policy and Project Division, Railway Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan
  6. Mr. Jiro Yasuda, Division Director, International Business Development & Sales Division, Hitachi, Ltd., Rail Systems Company
  7. Mr. Mohinder Singh, Advisor, LTA Academy, Singapore
  8. Mr. Laurence Cua, General Manager, Uber Manila
  9. Ma. Pham Thanh Tung, General Director of International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Transportation Vietnam

Honorable Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, Senator, Senate of the Philippines and 3rd HYLI alumni will also grace the event on the second day.

Mr. Ichiro Iino, Chief Executive for Asia, Hitachi, Ltd. said, “HYLI provides a unique platform to broaden the regional and global outlooks of students through interactive discussions with regional subject experts. In addition, it also allows Hitachi to understand real issues faced in the world, which is crucial in ensuring that Hitachi develops solutions that answer society’s challenges.”

The 31 students were selected from over 230 applications from 51 universities in the region. All student applicants were put through a rigorous selection process based on their academic results, participation in extra-curricular activities, leadership capabilities, fluency in the English language and knowledge of current regional issues.

Apart from various forums and workshops designed to ensure students rich networking and learning opportunities, the students will also visit Gawad Kalinga Village and Bonifacio Global City on the third day of the programme. These visits will provide students with the opportunity to experience first-hand the various types of transportation systems used in different parts of the country, to understand how transportation and urban development affect the lives of residents. Finally, students will share what they have learnt over the course of HYLI at the Student Presentation. Their recommendations will subsequently be published in a white paper, and shared with the business, government and academic sectors for their consideration.

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.