KUCHING – Dr Gabriel Wee Wei En, Head of the Department of Executive and Entrepreneurship at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus’ School of Business, was recently invited to join a distinguished group of global leaders at the Commonwealth Study Conference (CSC) Presidential Council Appreciation Dinner held on 15 April 2025 at the historic Windsor Castle.
The exclusive event, hosted by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, marked a celebration of global leadership, trust, and collaboration across Commonwealth nations.
Held within the grand walls of Windsor Castle, one of the oldest and largest inhabited castles in the world, the evening brought together delegates, alumni, and changemakers committed to advancing the legacy of the Commonwealth Study Conference, a program founded in 1956 by HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.
Dr Gabriel Wee stands in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle, one of the oldest and largest inhabited castles in the world. The castle served as the venue for the CSC Presidential Council Dinner hosted by HRH Princess Anne.
“Meeting HRH Princess Anne was a deeply humbling experience,” said Dr Wee. “Her deep understanding of global affairs and dedication to public service is truly inspiring. It was an honour to share Sarawak’s contribution to regional leadership and innovation with fellow Commonwealth leaders.”
HRH Princess Anne is involved with more than 300 charities, organisations, and military regiments in the United Kingdom and worldwide.
The dinner was held in the Waterloo Chamber, renowned for its rich décor and historical portraits commissioned by King George IV. Among the guests was Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General Elect of the Commonwealth. Conversations throughout the evening focused on the power of cross-border leadership, sustainable development, and the future of CSC initiatives, including the upcoming 2025 conference in the Caribbean.
The next morning, Dr Wee chaired a session during the CSC Leadership Pop-Up “Leadership Across Borders – The Power of Trust & Collaboration” at the Castle Hotel in Windsor.
Organised by the Commonwealth Association of Leadership Malaysia and supported by CSC UK and CSC Global, the forum gathered 30 leaders from multiple sectors to exchange insights and work on integrated solutions – from shaping policy recommendations to designing on-the-ground interventions.
A group photo of CSC leaders and participants at the CSC Leadership Pop-Up session, held on 16 April 2025 at the Castle Hotel. The session was hosted by the Commonwealth Association of Leadership Malaysia with the support of CSC UK and CSC Global.
“This forum was a vital reminder that leadership must rise above borders. Universities must reinvent themselves – not just as institutions of knowledge but as platforms for solving real-world problems.
“We need to align research, teaching, and enterprise with the Sustainable Development Goals. Issues like food security, for instance, remain urgent, especially given the current economic climate, rising trade tariffs, and supply chain disruptions. It is this intersection between global thinking and local action that defines leadership today,” said Dr Wee.
As Head of the Department of Executive and Entrepreneurship at Swinburne Sarawak and a vocal advocate for regional education and entrepreneurship, Dr Wee’s participation underscores Malaysia’s active role in Commonwealth leadership networks through the Commonwealth Association of Leadership Malaysia.
This event reaffirmed the ongoing importance of the CSC in nurturing transformative leadership for future generations – leadership that is not confined by borders but defined by purpose, trust, and the drive to build a better world.
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