KOPSTAR G2K : YOUTH TALK "BECOMING A CHANGE AGENT - G2K GRADUATES IN THE WORLD OF COOPERATIVES"

26 May 2025 – Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang. The first slot, the Youth Talk "Becoming an Agent of Change: G2K Graduates in the World of Cooperatives" opened the curtain on the 2025 Cooperative Discourse Program featuring Mr. Zainuddin Ali as the speaker. This session focused on the strategic role of youth, especially graduates of the Graduates to Cooperatives (G2K) Program, in driving positive change in the cooperative sector.

In his presentation, it was emphasized that graduates need to emerge as competitive change agents, innovative thinkers and able to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the cooperative movement. In addition, the active involvement of young people in this field is not only able to generate community economic development, but also contributes to the sustainability of the national cooperative movement in the long term.

KOPSTAR G2K : KEYNOTE SPEAKER (YOUTH ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT: OPPORTUNITIES AND POTENTIAL IN THE POST-NORMAL ERA)

The keynote address slot for the Cooperative Discourse Programme and the Graduates to Cooperatives (G2K) Alumni Appreciation Ceremony was delivered by Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Mursyid Arshad, Director of the Centre for Co-Curricular and Student Development (CCP), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) entitled “Youth Economic Empowerment: Opportunities and Potential in the Post-Normal Era”. This slot emphasised the urgent need to strengthen the position of the youth as drivers of the country’s economic transformation, especially in facing the challenges of the post-normal era which is full of uncertainty and complexity.

According to him, youth currently represent 33.6% of the country’s population, but the unemployment rate among youth, especially those aged 15 to 24, is still worrying. Therefore, a new approach is needed to ensure that youth do not continue to lag behind in the development stream. Among the potentials that can be explored are the digital and gig economy, social entrepreneurship, as well as the development of future skills such as digital literacy, values-based leadership, and design thinking. He also suggested that youth be seen not just as recipients of policies, but as strategic partners in formulating and implementing development policies.

KOPSTAR G2K : FORUM (COOPERATIVES AND YOUNG GENERATION – HOPE & CHALLENGE)

The forum session entitled “Cooperatives and Young Generation – Hope & Challenge” has become one of the main contents of the Cooperative Discourse Program and the Graduates to Cooperative Program (G2K) Alumni Appreciation Ceremony. This forum was guided by Mr. Hamzi Fathul Zulwaqar bin Muhamad as moderator. Two invited panelists who were also present were Mr. Nurakmal bin Awang and Mr. Muhammad Hairie Syafiq who are also experienced individuals in the world of cooperatives and youth involvement.

The forum discussion focused on the main issues that influence the involvement of the young generation in the cooperative movement, including the perception of cooperatives as traditional entities that are less attractive and constraints in terms of access to information, training and financing. However, the panelists emphasized that cooperatives have great potential to become a platform for youth economic development if they are driven by a more dynamic, digital and innovation-based approach.

KOPSTAR G2K: ALUMNI APPRECIATION CEREMONY OF THE GRADUATE TO COOPERATIVE PROGRAM (G2K)

The Alumni Appreciation Ceremony of the Graduate to Cooperative Program (G2K) was held successfully in conjunction with the KOPSTAR G2K program immediately after the Cooperative Discourse 2025 session. Also present were guests of honor from the Malaysian Cooperative Institute (IKMa) and the Co-Curricular and Student Development Center (PKPP) of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) to further enliven the event. The KOPSTAR G2K program is a program organized by the PKPP in collaboration with IKMa that took place at the Serdang Briefing Hall of UPM.

The event continued with a speech by Encik Mohd Zaib Bin Mat Yunus, Deputy Director General (Human Capital Development) of IKMa, who emphasized the importance of building cooperative human capital capacity among the younger generation. Next, a welcoming speech was delivered by Ts. Dr. Rozzamri Ashari, Deputy Director of the PKPP, who expressed his appreciation to all parties involved for their high commitment in strengthening the G2K Program. The ceremony was then officiated by Datuk Mohamad Ali bin Mansor, Director General of IKMa, followed by the gimmick of handing over the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UPM and IKMa as a symbolic signing of strategic cooperation in cooperative development.

The ceremony continued with the presentation of certificates of appreciation to G2K alumni, implementing cooperatives and strategic partner universities who have shown commitment in supporting cooperative development efforts among the youth. This ceremony not only appreciates the contributions that have been given, but also serves as a symbol of recognition of the continuous efforts in strengthening the role of cooperatives as a platform for economic development and leadership of the young generation.

Date of Input: 04/06/2025 | Updated: 04/06/2025 | saidatul.halim