KUALA LUMPUR: Government policy, industry innovation and education will be among the fields being further explored following a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between HELP University and Jinju City in South Korea.
The MOU will see global collaboration across key initiatives including joint research on humane business practices, exchange programmes for students and entrepreneurs and cultural immersion projects to bridge Asian and global markets.
Also set to roll out is the Global Humane Entrepreneurship Summit in 2027, alongside an Advanced Management Programme on Humane Entrepreneurship.
A digital platform is also set to connect stakeholders globally across Asia. The MOU was signed at the Jinju City Partnership Forum hosted at HELP University’s Centre for Humane Entrepreneurship on March 10.
The forum was attended by leaders from governments, NGOs, multinational companies, academia and senior executives from across 15 countries.
In his address, HELP University chancellor and co-founder Prof Datuk Dr Paul Chan said the signing is set to create tremendous opportunities to help various groups of society through humane education.
“We must be others-centred. Our duty is to serve and help through education and the way to do this is to humanise what we think and do,” he said.
He also emphasised the university’s Centre for Humane Entrepreneurship’s role as a global nexus for inclusive collaboration.
Huge honour: Jo (centre) presenting Prof Chan with the inaugural Human-Centred K-Entrepreneurship Award as Prof Kim looks on at the forum. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
Prof Chan said practising humane philosophy and values should also be the central purpose of business.
In his keynote lecture, Jinju City Mayor Jo Kyo-il said the partnership serves as a beacon for cities and institutions worldwide to unite compassion with commerce.
He also noted how Jinju’s success lay in valuing people as their greatest asset.
Speaking to more than 200 participants there, he gave insights into Jinju City’s pioneering K-Entrepreneurship Model, blending the country’s cultural heritage with innovative human-centric policies.
He also highlighted Jinju’s journey of nurturing small and medium enterprises, social enterprises and creative industries that balance tradition and modernity.
Jinju City is known as the capital of K-Entrepreneurship because it was where the founders of four major global companies – LG, GS, Samsung and Hyosung – grew up and interacted with one another.
At the forum, Prof Chan was also presented with the inaugural Human-Centred K-Entrepreneurship Award by Jo and International Council of Small Business chairman Prof Kim Ki-Chan.
The accolade recognises Prof Chan’s four decades of leadership in humane entrepreneurship, which inspired cross-border partnerships and equitable economic practices.
Also present were Star Media Group (SMG) group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt and SMG chief operating officer Lydia Wang.
