2nd International Youth Conference 2022 – Launching

By Ooi Tian Ping

Mental health is an important factor in life. It affects how we think, how we feel and how we act. However, if mental health is forsaken, things tend to take a turn for the worst. About one in six youths are affected by numerous mental health problems. These problems include anxiety, depression and conduct disorder. The problems often are a direct response to what is happening during the youths’ lives. 

In order to better understand youth mental health, the Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC) in collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Han Chiang University College of Communications (HCUC), INTI International College Penang, Batu Lanchang Vocational College and Big Domain are organizing the 2nd International Youth Conference. It is a one-day conference which will be co-hosted with Indonesia’s International Business Association, Association of Internal Business & Professional Management (AIBPM) and U.S.A’s Star Scholar Network (SSN).

Through the conference which is aptly themed “Better Mental Health and Well-Being for Youth”, the conference was created with the objective of addressing issues related to the mental health and well-being of youths. The conference is open to all youths who come from differing backgrounds. Whether you’re a student, scholar, academician or even a young researcher, you are welcome to come share and exchange opinions, ideas, and knowledge based on the theme of the conference at IYC 2022.

In the press conference, Professor Dr. Noor Hazlina Ahmad (USM) mentions that the theme for the conference is timely and it should no longer be swept under the rug any longer, and it was important for the issue of mental health and well-being to be addressed as soon as possible. Agreeing to the point, PYDC’s General Manager, Dr. Gwee Sai Ling, says that the goal of the conference is to provide youths who are local or international, academicians, or even industrial experts, a platform to come participate and share their thoughts and opinions on how youths can potentially overcome or cope with mental health issues. 

The 2nd International Youth Conference was successfully launched on 5 July 2022, after a short two-minute video opening, signalling the official launch of the conference. 

After the video sharing session, collaborators involved in the IYC 2022, gave a short speech on the opportunity of working alongside each other during the conference. Dr. Beh Kok Hui, Han Chiang University College of Communication’s Vice chancellor said that he hopes that with the launching of the conference, students will be encouraged to cultivate their research thinking on new or even existing topics on mental health and well-being.

Additionally, Mr. Damian Lee, Director of Student Experience (INTI) mentions that mental health and well-being did not just start because of the pandemic but had already existed even before the rise of the pandemic. He is also glad that educators now are more willing to discuss and address the issue of mental health and well-being publically, hoping that youths will be able to face their issues head on.

Moreover, Mr. Tan Peng Hooi, the Deputy Principal of SENTRAL College Penang also added that these problems arise because some students are not willing to share their problems with mental health and well-being, he also mentions that students could either be aware or unaware of their current mental states. Hence, he believes that the IYC 2022 will be a good platform for students to voice their concerns about the matters at hand.

Mr. Oh Zi Jian, Head of Unit, Industrial Liaison & Training, Batu Lanchang Vocational College (BLVC), who was speaking on behalf of their Deputy Academic Director, Mahadzan bin Ali, says that he believes the aspect of mental health and well-being should be a priority especially for students, institutions, the government sectors and the community, as they believe that the youths are the nation’s most valuable assets.

Lastly, Mr. Henry Tye, CEO of Big Domain voices that he is honoured to be working with PYDC once again, as he believes that Penang can become a central digital hub for digital talents.

For the students and or staff, ages between 15 – 35, who are interested in participating in the conference, you will be required to submit a research topic which can be an abstract or working paper in progress with relevance to the theme of the conference which is “Better Mental Health and Well-Being for Youth”. 

Interested youths can find further details along with the rules and regulations at www.pydc.com.my/iyc2022 starting from 5 July 2022 till 25 November 2022 or contact Shanifaz from the Penang Youth Development Corporation at, iyc@pydc.com.my or contact the number 012-4010186. Students and staff may also find their work being published in international journals if their work is up to par.