Malaccan opportunity for Waikato student

Young leader: Waikato University student Ruth Pinkerton is one of 300 students attending the University Scholars Leadership Symposium in Malaysia.

A Waikato Management School student has been selected to attend an international gathering of young leaders in the Malaysian state of Malacca at the end of July.

Ruth Pinkerton, who’s completing a Bachelor of Management Studies (Hons) in Economics, will join more than 300 students from around the world at the week-long University Scholars Leadership Symposium.

They will attend sessions by international speakers on poverty, climate change, sustainability, leadership and education, and will hear addresses from the Malaysian Prime Minster the Honourable Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak and Malacca Chief Minister Ali Rustam.

“I’m looking forward to the networking opportunities,” says Pinkerton, a straight A student who already has a job already lined up at the Treasury when she graduates.

“I grew up on a farm near Te Awamutu, so this is a chance to gain an insight into how the other half of the world lives, and I’m keen to learn more about humanitarian issues.”

Pinkerton’s trip, which begins on Saturday July 31, is partly funded by Waikato Management School.