Swaziland. It's a country few would have heard of. It's a small landlocked nation in Southern Africa. Yet this is the one nation that has the only absolute monarch in the entire African continent. I am talking about Swaziland because the King was here recently at the invitation of the University to receive a doctorate. In fact Africa is an important focus for the University because globally it is recognized as "the next growth frontier on the planet".

Africa will overtake China and India in the future

By 2040, Africa is expected to overtake China and India with the largest and youngest workforce in the world. Today massive infrastructure work is taking place across the Africa. Innovation hubs are being developed, technology parks are being constructed. Highways and railways are being built. Fiber optic cables are being laid. New airports and seaports are taking shape. His Majesty King Mswati III of Swaziland has begun to focus on building his country's economic competitiveness through innovation and strategic transformation. I believe this competitiveness is best built through the embrace of new technology, digital creativity and a full understanding of new global trends and opportunities. All of these require a solid base of young practitioners who possess the creative mindset and the digital skill-set to lend support to Swaziland's long-term growth aspirations.

Building a strong partnership to build Swaziland

It was with this in mind that King Mswati III invited the University to establish a campus in the capital city of Mbabane. The King expressed his admiration for Malaysia, saying that he felt it had already reached the First World status. He said he wanted Swaziland to be as successful as Malaysia, hence his desire to establish a very strong partnership with Limkokwing University. The Honorary Doctorate for King Mswati III was to recognize his vision to revamp the infrastructure for human capital development as the basis to re-engineer the Swaziland economy. I know of no one who is more passionate, more committed, more dedicated than His Majesty in youth and human capital development. He wants to equip his people with the most advanced technology in the world so they may stay abreast with the best in the world. The establishment of the Limkokwing University campus in its capital city of Mbabane was among the initiatives that His Majesty had championed. We have been there since 2010. Next year we will be graduating the first cohort of creative professionals who I am certain will make the difference the King seeks.

Limkokwing – Swaziland's University of Transformation

The King during his visit to the campus declared the University as Swaziland's University of Transformation. He also, in his magnanimity announced that he is giving the University land to build a permanent campus so that it can be deeply involved in its progress. I am very encouraged and very excited by this. I must say this about King Mswati III. He is an extraordinary monarch who has already ruled Swaziland for the past 27 years and he is only 45 now. He ascended the throne at the age of 18 – a teenage king with a heavy responsibility thrust upon his shoulders. And he has learnt much over the years that he has governed the country. The Swazi are very proud of their ancient traditions and King Mswati III comes from a direct lineage that goes back centuries and diligently maintains the traditions that many African countries are rapidly losing. For the University hosting the King was indeed a great honour. We have had Heads of State on campus before but this one was different. This was the first time we had a monarch on campus, that too a foreign one. The planning was long and careful with many sessions conducted with the protocol team from the King's palace. The end result was of great satisfaction to all. Students, especially, made a great impact on the success of the event. The campus was completely transformed. The reporter who flew in to cover the event for the Swazi Times was taken aback with the meticulous preparations. We have never done this in Swaziland for the King, he said. The King is now back in Swaziland where people are celebrating his doctorate. The video citation that we developed for the King is now running on national television. Malaysia is on their lips. They see this nation as a good friend. There is reason to feel good.