KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Former world squash champion Datuk Nicol Ann David is among 25 individuals selected for the inaugural cohort of ilmu Fellowship, a national cross-sector leadership programme established by YTL Foundation.
YTL Foundation said the programme was designed to strengthen leadership capabilities, build meaningful relationships and foster a shared purpose in nation-building.
“This first cohort was selected from over 800 applicants, with 54 advancing to the final stage through a rigorous and comprehensive selection process.
“A 25-member panel, representing various sectors and fields of expertise, evaluated each group of candidates based on leadership attributes and the selection criteria stipulated for this fellowship,” YTL Foundation said in a statement today.
The selection process identified a cohort of professionals from diverse backgrounds who have demonstrated initiative and made contributions to their respective organisations and communities, in addition to showing a willingness to reflect on themselves, embrace challenges and collaborate with others holding different perspectives.
In the same statement, Nicol described the ilmu Fellowship as an opportunity for her to learn from individuals with diverse expriences, challenge her own perpectives and enhance her ability to serve the community.
“I hope to integrate the new perspectives I have gained into my own endeavours, and continue to learn how we can make a greater collective impact,” she said.
Meanwhile, YTL Foundation programme director Datuk Kathleen Chew said ilmu Fellowship provided the space, support and community necessary for participants to grow as leaders and make meaningful contributions to Malaysia’s future.
“We are excited to bring together individuals from various sectors so that they can learn from one another, challenge each other’s perspectives and build relationships needed to achieve shared goals,” she said.
Ilmu Fellowship is a fully funded 10-month programme designed to accommodate the professional commitments of its participants and was developed in collaboration with the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford, Acumen Academy, PEMANDU Associates and leadership coach Alvin Ung.
The programme combines intensive retreat sessions, workshops, mentoring, peer learning and real-world leadership initiatives. The ilmu Fellowhip concludes with a four-day learning programme at the University of Oxford, focusing on leadership, policy, systems change and cross-sector collaboration.
YTL Foundation aims to develop at least 250 values-driven leaders over the next decade, thus strengthening a culture of integrity, trust and cross-sector collaboration.
-- BERNAMA