Launching of 2nd International Youth Conference 2022

GELUGOR, July 7 – The Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC) in collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Han Chiang University College of Communication (HCUC), INTI International College Penang, Batu Lanchang Vocational College (BLVC) and Big Domain are organising the 2nd International Youth Conference 2022 (IYC 2022). 

This one-day conference will be co-hosted with Indonesia’s International Business Association, Association of International Business & Professional Management (AIBPM) and U.S.A’s Star Scholar Network (SSN). Themed “Better Mental Health and Well-Being for Youth”, this conference has formulated the objective of addressing issues related to mental health and well-being amongst the youth. Mental health problems affect around one in six youths.

These include depression, anxiety, conduct disorder, and are often a direct response to what is happening in youths’ lives. Mental health affects how they think, feel, and act. Mental health is important at every stage of youth life, from teenager through adulthood. It helps determine how youth handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.

Thus, the IYC 2022 strives to serve as a platform for youngsters from multiple backgrounds such as young researchers, professionals, scholars, academicians and university students of various tertiary institutions to exchange their knowledge, opinions and ideas revolving around the conference’s theme. The conference is available to local and international youths whose interest lies in gaining and sharing wholesome new exposures on par with international standards.

The 2022’s IYC also aims to explore and build mutually beneficial cooperation between industries and higher academic institutions, especially in matters related to research and projects focusing on youths’ mental health and their wellbeing. Penang State Exco for Youth and Sports, Yang Berhormat Tuan Soon Lip Chee, believes this conference provides a platform to gather youth, academicians, scholars, and researchers to share their knowledge and new ideas as well as to discuss current developments related to the youths.

The conference also offers opportunities for youths and industry experts to meet and interact with local and international participants. This will be the best opportunity to explore, exchange ideas and knowledge among participants. “I believe IYC 2022 can be an arena to exchange and share their insight, information, and creative approaches among the youths. Besides, this conference allows for the emergence of different points of view as the participants come from different backgrounds.

I believe that we will be able to learn and get new ideas from the papers that will be presented,” PYDC’s General Manager, Dr Gwee Sai Ling said. According to Professor Dr. Noor Hazlina Ahmad from Universiti Sains Malaysia, IYC 2022 is a dynamic youth engagement platform for our young people to understand the importance of good mental health. With IYC 2022, our youth will be recharged with positive energy and momentum.

IYC 2022 can be a potential means for engaging our youth, bringing benefits not only to the youth themselves but also to the community, which gains through the energy, ideas, and values that our youth contribute. “The second International Youth Conference 2022 themed Better Mental Health and Well-being for Youth serves as an ideal platform for youth and academicians from across the globe to network, share and enrich knowledge and awareness on mental health. Mental health which includes the emotional, psychological and social well-being of individuals is an integral part of health and a public health priority.

Hence, the conference is an effective means for youth to explore cutting-edge solutions for mental health and well-being,” Han Chiang University College of Communication’s Vice chancellor, Dr Beh Kok Hooi said. “As the country transitions to an endemic phase, we need to look at the extent of how the global pandemic has affected mental health, especially among youths. A positive mental health can greatly impact a student’s academic achievement and success, so mental health issues should not be taken lightly.

With youths playing a great role in nation-building, it is important that we don’t lose the talent that will bring our country to greater heights,” INTI International College Penang’s Chief Executive, Hemalatha Murugiah said.  Deputy Academic Director of BLVC, Mahadzan bin Ali, believes our youth is our country’s asset that plays important roles in developing a better nation. Hence, the aspect of mental health and well-being should always be prioritised by themselves, institutions, local government sectors,  and the community.

Together with them we can achieve many things and strive for a better future. Sentral’s Deputy Principal, Tan Peng Hooi conveyed that in  the era of cutting edge technologies, youths today need both IQ and EQ to lead a successful and happy life, especially during this endemic period of great uncertainties. 

“The IYC2022 hits exactly what we are trying to achieve, to promote a wholesome youth to face the challenges of tomorrow. We believe IYC2022 serves as a great platform to engage the youth in promoting a healthier society,” Tan explained his aspiration.

Potential participants are required to submit an original work of theirs to the organisers according to this year’s theme of “Better Mental Health and Well-Being for Youth” and must be well-prepared to present their work at the conference. All the submissions will be evaluated in terms of their relevance and the originality of the works. Interested youths can register at www.pydc.com.my/iyc2022 from 5th July 2022 till 25th November 2022. 

Best Poster Award, Best Paper Work Award and Best Presenter Award are some of the honoraries which will be awarded in the IYC 2022. Best Poster Award, Best Paper Work Award will be awarded with RM1,000.00 and Best Presenter Award will be awarded with RM100.  The award recipients for Best Paper and Best Poster where works of remarkable quality will be selected to be published in international journals.