Malaysian Dr Avinesh makes into Asia 21’s Class 2016

| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 27 Aug 2016 | Asia Samachar |

Dr Avinesh Singh Bhar has been selected to join the Class of 2016 of Asia 21, a network of young leaders from across the Asia-Pacific.

The 2016 class – 32 rising professionals form 24 countries – was selected through a highly competitive process based on outstanding achievement, commitment to public service, and a proven ability to make the world a better place.

Dr Avinesh, an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at the US-based Mercer University, aims to help transform the paradigm in healthcare through patient-centered care.

Malaysia’s Minister of Youth and Sports Khairy Jamaluddin and YTL Singapore Executive Director Ruth Yeoh are some of the alumni members of the network.

Now in its 11th year, Asia 21 is named such to reflect the need to cultivate a new generation of leaders for the 21st century.

“One of the biggest threats to emerging economies is the health of its people,” said Dr Avinesh.

“Unfortunately the medicalization of care has served to burden instead of alleviate the problem. This results in the disempowerment of the population. I hope to add my blend of experience, passion and knowledge to drive population health as an important indicator of economic viability and to grow the footprint of the Asia 21 Young Leaders Initiative.”

Among the newly-minted Asia 21 Young Leaders are Ankit Agarwal (India), a social entrepreneur attempting to curb toxic runoff into the river Ganges by collecting floral waste from the temples; Kongngy Hav (Cambodia), founder of a social venture tackling chronic shelter shortages through the production of affordable and eco-friendly bricks; Sylvia Kim (Canada), a lawyer advocating for the human rights of North Koreans; and Gede Robi Supriyanto (Indonesia), a rock musician, activist, and farmer who teaches organic farming throughout Southeast Asia.

Members of the 2016 class and select Asia 21 alumni will gather at the Asia 21 Summit this December in Seoul, which hosted the inaugural Asia 21 convening in 2006.

“The young leaders will share best practices in leadership and develop group public service projects,” it said in a statement available at its website.

At the summit, the class will also collectively select a partner organization whose work benefits underprivileged social and economic groups and communities in the Asia-Pacific region.

RELATED STORY:

Two Sikh academics awarded MCMC research grants (Asia Samachar, 12 Aug 2016)