Skip To Content
Alumni Sign In

The Luce Year2024-2025 Scholars

December 8-13, 2024 | Penang, MalaysiaConvening to Reflect and Learn

The 2024-2025 Luce Scholars Mid-Year Gathering took place from December 8-13, 2024, in Penang, Malaysia, at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel. The gathering provided Scholars with opportunities to reflect on their experiences in the first half of their Luce Year. Scholars also got to engage with experts in their area(s) of interest, and explore Malaysian culture and society.

The program featured discussions on activism, human rights, leadership, conflict resolution, and environmental policy. Scholars also participated in guided tours, storytelling workshops, and a visit to the Penang Institute for an overview of Malaysia’s socio-political landscape.

More Speaker Highlights

Expand Image

An Introduction to Storytelling

Scholars learn storytelling techniques from the Caravanserai Collective, an organization that teaches storytelling as a powerful tool for transformation within communities, with the goal to foster deep connections among participants that move them to collective action.

Expand Image

Learning About Malaysia

Dr. Ooi Kee Beng gave the scholars an overview of the history of Malaysia. He is the Executive Director of Penang Institute, one Malaysia's major think tanks. Dr. Ooi has worked in the think tank space since 2004 when he joined Singapore's ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute. He holds a PhD in Sinology from Stockholm University.

Expand Image

Health Care in Malaysia

Dr. Por Heong Hong discussed the politics of healthcare services in Malaysia. Por's research interests lie at the convergence of postcolonial inquiries and cultural politics of issues pertaining to medicine, health and diseases, bodies, modernity, and nationalism.

Expand Image

Historical George Town

At the George Town World Heritage Incorporated offices, staff introduced Scholars to the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site.