KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's future success will depend not only on economic strength or technological advancement, but also on the quality of its human capital, says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
The Deputy Prime Minister said, on Monday (July 6), that the country needed individuals who could think critically, communicate effectively and adapt to change in an increasingly interconnected world.
"In such a world, a nation's success is no longer determined solely by economic strength or technological advancement," he said when opening the ADNI International Students' Conference (AISC) 2026 here.
Fadillah said the challenges of tomorrow, including climate change, public health, digital transformation and social inequality, could not be addressed in isolation and required collaboration among governments, educational institutions, the private sector, civil society and young people.
He said the Madani Government placed human capital development at the heart of national progress, echoing the principle championed by Malaysia's third Prime Minister Tun Hussein Onn that a nation's strength lies in the unity and character of its people.
"Technology may connect our devices, but only shared values, mutual respect and trust can truly connect our societies," he said.
Fadillah said true development must encompass education, well-being, ethics, creativity, sustainability and social cohesion.
On the conference, he said it reflected the spirit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by nurturing young people who understood the importance of quality education, inclusivity, strong institutions and strategic partnerships.
He added that opportunities for intellectual discourse and cross-cultural engagement were vital in producing globally minded individuals with strong values and a strong sense of identity.
He also reminded students that while artificial intelligence might become more intelligent, it would never replace wisdom, and technology could never replace compassion.
AISC 2026, themed 'Thriving Together: Diversity, Education and Wellness in a Digital World', brought together about 150 local and international students, including delegates from Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia, to exchange ideas and strengthen regional friendship and cooperation. - Bernama
