On 17 June, the ICA-AP Committee on Cooperatives in Educational Institutions (ICEI) successfully hosted a thought-provoking webinar titled “From Campus to Community: University Cooperatives as Leadership Incubators for Purposeful and Ethical Leaders.” The event brought together youth leaders and cooperative practitioners from Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and India, spotlighting the transformative role of university cooperatives in fostering ethical leadership grounded in cooperative values.

The session attracted over 70 registrants and engaged a live audience of around 50 participants from across the Asia-Pacific region. It offered diverse regional perspectives on how university cooperatives serve as practical learning spaces for young people to develop leadership skills, democratic participation, and a commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

Mr. Ganesh Gopal, Secretary of ICEI and Lead – Environment & Agriculture at ICA-AP, contextualised the webinar within the broader cooperative identity framework, highlighting the 5th Cooperative Principle – Education, Training, and Information. He emphasized that university cooperatives are not only service providers but also laboratories for incubating future leaders of the cooperative and solidarity economy movements.

Prof. Shogo Takegawa, Chairperson of ICEI and President of the National Federation of University Cooperatives Association (Japan), delivered the keynote address, underlining the historical significance and evolving relevance of student cooperatives in building ethical, value-driven leadership for the future.

The webinar featured compelling presentations and cases from youth cooperative leaders:

• Mr. Dongjun Kwak, Chairperson of the Student Committee at KFUC (Korea), shared insights into the democratic functioning of Korean university co-ops. He described the leadership opportunities offered to students through event planning, governance participation, and community outreach, noting the transformative personal growth enabled by cooperative involvement.

• Mr. Muhammad Aiman Aqil Muhd Azlan, Deputy Chair of the student cooperative at USIM (Malaysia), highlighted how cooperative education in practice helps students build real-world leadership, entrepreneurial, and ethical competencies. He shared initiatives such as managing printing services and organizing international trips, which allow students to gain hands-on experience and develop critical life skills.

• Mr. Keita Takasu, Chairperson of the Student Committee at NFUCA (Japan), presented an overview of Japan’s expansive university co-op network, with over 1.5 million student members across 213 co-ops. He shared examples of health and safety campaigns, peace education, and event-based engagement, underscoring the role of co-ops in enhancing student life and promoting global citizenship.

While summarising the discussions of an engaging Q&A session, Prof. Yashavantha Dongre, Co-Secretary of ICEI and Vice Chancellor at Chanakya University, India, delved into governance models, youth engagement strategies, and cooperative regulations across countries. Participants examined the challenges and successes of building student cooperatives, as well as the importance of recognition, mentorship, and institutional support in sustaining cooperative youth leadership.

In his closing remarks, Dato’ Kamarudin Ismail, Vice Chairperson of ICEI and ICA Global Board Member from ANGKASA, Malaysia, affirmed the critical role of campus cooperatives as “bridges between theory and practice.” He emphasized their contribution to leadership incubation, social cohesion, and employability in today’s rapidly changing world.

Mr. Gopal also announced ICEI’s plan to launch a ‘Short Movie and Reels Competition’ in July 2025 under the broad theme of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025. The ICEI Secretariat also discussed plans for a second webinar in October 2025, focused on ‘Sustainability and Campus Cooperatives’.

This webinar reaffirmed the potential of university cooperatives as vibrant spaces for youth leadership development and cooperative education in action. Through shared practices and meaningful dialogue, ICEI continues to cultivate a new generation of cooperative champions committed to solidarity, sustainability, and social justice.

Watch the full webinar recording on our YouTube Channel.