Persatuan Seni Tarian Antarabangsa (PSTA), supported by Howard Lee Chuan How, Perak Exco for Youth and Sports & Human Capital Development, will be pioneering the Perak Youth Development Programme 2020 from April 2020.
With the guidance of the Malaysian legend in arts and dance, Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, as the Honorary Patron, this project aims to provide opportunities, a positive environment and connections to create change in the lives of youths. Participants will build global awareness through a creative process to improve physical, mental and social wellbeing through the arts.
Howard Lee says that Perak, in line with the Perak State Government’s vision, is proud to be one of the first in Malaysia to utilise arts and dance to promote youth development. The Perak State Government, in their new plan, is working towards promoting the importance of the creative industries and to further explore the possible influences of the arts within the local economy.
The Perak Youth Development Programme will be delivered to students from public schools around Perak and will be run by local professionals and overseas guest speakers from Direct Academia International (DAI), an education platform. The programme will be conducted in various locations in Ipoh every Saturday at 4-6pm from April to September 2020. All students from ages 13-19 are welcome to join.
Datuk Ramli Ibrahim who is acknowledged as UNESCO Living Treasure and conferred the Padma Shri Award (India’s top civilian honours) says that the inclusiveness of this project will allow youths in Perak to experience the arts and dance from a different perspective, which will be a starting point to strengthening the country’s vision for development through the arts. “I am pleased that Perak has taken this step to lead the way, to focus on the arts when working on young people”.
Audrey Kwan, President of PSTA said, “I believe arts and dance play a great role in human development. Arts and dance promote healthy and creative lifestyles and can be linked to freedom in education while promoting a decent standard of living”. This programme is open to everyone, including those who have no experience in dance. Participants will definitely benefit from our interactive activities.
Since its establishment, PSTA has been working to provide international exposure to the community by promoting dance through educational workshops, international exchanges, scholarships and talent scouting. This will be the 3rd initiative for PSTA together with Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Belia dan Sukan. In 2018, through Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Belia dan Sukan, PSTA has successfully secured scholarships for 12 students to experience professional dance training locally and in the UK.
For more information on programmes or scholarships at PSTA, please contact 05 311 9127.
