Don't be arrogant, Rafidah tells students in UK

LONDON, -- Former International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz reminded some 500 Malaysian students from Britain's top universities not to be filled with "professional intellectual arrogance."

What is important is for students to learn from the bottom up and not let arrogance make them forget how to be humble when coming out into the working world, she said.

Rafidah was delivering her keynote address on "Career Development and Opportunities" at Projek Amanat Negara 2012, the annual summit of the United Kingdom & Eire Council of Malaysian Students (UKEC), at Marble Arch on Sunday.

Malaysian High Commissioner Datuk Zakaria Sulong, meanwhile, said that students should build on their intellectual capacity to be able to think critically while aspiring for the best in their studies.

"For those wishing to stay back in the UK and are not governed by any contract, you are free to do so but remember to gain as much knowledge and exposure as possible because one day you will come back and share your experiences back home with those who did not have access to this kind of opportunities," he added.

The one-day annual conference also saw discussions on various issues such as human rights, religion in the public sphere, politics and public policy.

Among the key panellists were social activist Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, PKR Strategic Director Rafizi Ramli, Umno Youth Chief and Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin, Sisters in Islam founder Zainah Anwar and Kuala Selangor MP and PAS Central Committee Member Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

-- BERNAMA