Hear these insights from Business School students representing Deakin at a global leadership symposium
Four of our Business School students—Michelle Aditjokro, Goldie O’Gorman, Taha Kawaguchi, and Radhini Mendis—recently represented Deakin University at the 13th University Scholars Leadership Symposium (USLS) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. There they engaged with inspiring global speakers, participated in cultural exchanges, and joined hands-on service initiatives.
They have each kindly shared their insights and experiences from the symposium, below.
If you’re a Business and Law student interested in getting involved in similar opportunities, look for posts in the Business and Law Student Peer Mentor Community channel on MS Teams, and on Deakin Life.
Deakin delegates, Radhini, Goldie, Michelle, Taha
Connecting with others from across the globe
The symposium brought together more than 400 emerging leaders from 35 countries. As Taha describes, ‘Across four days, we engaged in discussions on humanitarian leadership, resilience, and social impact, learning from distinguished speakers and collaborating with likeminded peers from around the world’.
Goldie found that ‘the most valuable aspect of this experience was the opportunity to discuss humanitarian challenges with peers worldwide, and to see how many young leaders aspire to address issues like gender-based violence and climate change’.
‘The opportunity to connect with delegates from across the globe, each bringing unique perspectives on sustainable leadership and community impact, deepened my appreciation for the power of diverse collaboration,’ Radhini appreciated.
Radhini and Goldie with fellow delegates
Hearing from inspiring speakers
For Goldie, ‘The most impactful session was hearing from Nelly Cheboi, the 2022 CNN Hero of the Year, and Charlotte Yeung, the UN Youth Disarmament Champion‘.
A highlight for Taha was ‘One of the most powerful moments came during a keynote by Simerjeet Singh, who challenged us to reflect on how much potential we unknowingly leave untapped.‘
It was Radhini‘s conclusion that, ‘The speakers’ journeys left a lasting imprint on me. Their stories reminded me that leadership is not about having all the answers, but about finding the courage to begin and to remain steadfast in the pursuit of a cause that matters’.
Helping others with hands-on initiatives
Michelle and Goldie helping out in the food assembly line on Kindness Day
The delegates also joined hands-on service initiatives where they worked together to help others.
For Taha ‘the highlight for me was Kindness Day, where we accompanied 250 refugee children for a day at a theme park – offering them a brief escape from hardship and a chance to simply be kids again’.
Radhini agreed that Kindness Day was ‘One of the most profound moments of the symposium … where we came together to cook 1,000 meals from scratch for the urban poor. It was more than just preparing food – it was about connection, dignity, and celebrating our shared humanity’.
Taking meaningful action rather than giving in to hopelessness
In reference to the many problems faced by the world today, Michelle realised, ‘It is easy to let sadness harden into hopelessness, but one of the most important lessons I learned at USLS is that anger and despair, when harnessed, can be transformed into meaningful action.
The African philosophy of Ubuntu, “I am because we are,” echoed what many speakers emphasized about the power of leaning into our shared humanity. Injustice anywhere diminishes us all, and the path to a better world starts with strengthening our sense of community and connection.
I was especially moved by Erfan’s account of the war in Afghanistan – families crammed into cargo planes, weeping together as they fled. It was difficult to hear, but necessary. Refugees don’t choose displacement; it is survival.
For me, USLS was not just a gathering of scholars but an urgent call to action. A reminder that hope is a discipline, silence is dangerous, and building a just and inclusive world begins with each of us, with the courage to care, to speak, and to act’.
Michelle participating in a Q&A
Get involved in future opportunities
The symposium reminds us of the important role young leaders play in shaping a more compassionate and sustainable future. Michelle, Goldie, Taha and Radhini each return to Deakin with renewed purpose, ready to apply their insights to their studies, careers, and communities.
If their experiences have inspired you to want to get involved yourself, remember to look out for student opportunities posted in the Business and Law Student Peer Mentor Community channel on MS Teams.
‘I would highly recommend this program to students considering the opportunity.’ – Goldie O’Gorman
Taha with fellow delegates
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