A Waikato Management School student has been selected to attend an international gathering of young leaders in the Malaysian state of Malacca next week.

Ruth Pinkerton, who’s completing a Bachelor of Management Studies (Hons) in Economics, will join more than 300 students from around the world at the week-long University Scholars Leadership Symposium.

They will attend sessions by international speakers on poverty, climate change, sustainability, leadership and education, and will hear addresses from the Malaysian Prime Minster Najib Abdul Razak and Malacca Chief Minister Ali Rustam.

“I’m looking forward to the networking opportunities,” says Pinkerton, a straight A student who already has a job already lined up at the Treasury when she graduates.

“I grew up on a farm near Te Awamutu, so this is a chance to gain an insight into how the other half of the world lives, and I’m keen to learn more about humanitarian issues.”

Pinkerton’s trip, which begins on Saturday July 31, is partly funded by Waikato Management School.