Information contained in this news release is current as of the date of the press announcement, but may be subject to change without prior notice.
June 9, 2015
13th Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative (HYLI)
To Include Myanmar Students For The First Time
4 students selected to represent Myanmar at this 19-year long-running CSR program
Yangon, Myanmar, 09 June 2015 – Hitachi Asia Ltd. today announced the university students selected to represent Myanmar at the 13th Hitachi Young Leaders Initiative (HYLI). The event, which will be held in Manila, the 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 Myanmar are:
- Poe Nu Htay, University of Medicine II
- Nan Kham Mo Win, Yangon University
- Sandy Phone Naing, Yangon University of Foreign Languages
- Wint Htet Htet Han, Yangon University of Economics
They were selected after passing a rigorous application and evaluation process that included a panel interview chaired by Ms. Si Si Shein, President of Myanmar Association of Japan Alumni (MAJA).
Mr. Tsunehiro Takahashi, General Manager, Hitachi Asia Ltd. Myanmar Branch and founding member of the first HYLI said, “HYLI is a life-changing experience, as described by many HYLI alumni. The program offers a unique opportunity for students to have their ideas heard by prominent leaders and become more involved in creating the societies they wish to live in. Many are now well-placed in academia, in government and in business, and are having a real impact on their communities thanks in part to their experiences with HYLI.”
“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 we are pleased to further extend the invitation to Myanmar students for this 13th HYLI,” Mr. Takahashi added.
Established by Hitachi, Ltd. in 1996, HYLI has brought together some of the best and brightest students 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
Hitachi is committed to support Myanmar’s vision of becoming a modern, developed nation by 2030. Education is one crucial aspect and it is for this reason that Hitachi has expanded the HYLI program to Myanmar. Infrastructure is another key area. Back in 1958, Hitachi supplied generators to Baluchang No. 2 Hydro Power Plant, the country’s largest power plant. To improve the safety and rail service quality of Myanmar’s aging railway infrastructure, Hitachi will supply and install train signaling systems along a 140-kilometer stretch between Yangon Central Station and Pyuntasa Station in Myanmar. This 2.4 billion yen contract, signed on 15 May with Myanmar Railways, is expected to be completed by June 2017. Myanmar is well-recognized as an emerging market with high growth potential, and is one of the important focus markets for Hitachi’s business in this region. Hitachi will continue to work closely with key stakeholders in both the private and public sectors to improve Myanmar’s infrastructure and quality of life for the country’s development.
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.
