MalaysianUpdates

Tag: #ProfessionalDevelopment

  • Sarawak to Host 1,000 Delegates at SEA Tourist Guides Conference in Sibu

    Sarawak to Host 1,000 Delegates at SEA Tourist Guides Conference in Sibu

    Sarawak is set to welcome 1,000 delegates from across Southeast Asia at the 3rd Southeast Asian Tourist Guides Conference 2026, taking place from 13 to 15 October 2026 at the Kingwood Hotel in Sibu. Following the success of the inaugural conference in Kuching in 2024, this year’s event, held in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026, aims to strengthen regional guiding standards while positioning Sarawak as a premier destination for impact-driven business events. Organised by the Sarawak Tourist Guides Association in collaboration with the Malaysian Tourist Guides Council and supported by Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), the conference will focus on addressing industry challenges and enhancing collaboration among tourism frontliners in Southeast Asia.

    Under Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, the state targets a 7.5% annual growth in visitor arrivals by 2030. Achieving this requires not only attracting tourists but ensuring high-quality experiences. Tourist guides, as cultural ambassadors and storytellers, play a critical role in delivering authentic and impactful visitor experiences. However, the profession faces new challenges, including the rise of digital and AI-driven travel tools, evolving visitor expectations, and a shortage of qualified guides.

    The Honourable Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Deputy Minister for Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, emphasised the importance of quality experiences alongside visitor growth, stating that tourist guides are the frontline in shaping how Sarawak is understood and remembered. The conference will provide a dedicated platform for professional development, while accelerating the training of Registered Regional Specific Tourist Guides and Sarawak Park Guides, ensuring a strong and future-ready talent pipeline.

    Edwin Lim, Honorary Chairman of the Sarawak Tourist Guides Association, highlighted the growing demands on tourist guides in a digital world and the importance of regional collaboration to elevate the profession. Sibu was chosen as the host city to promote inclusive tourism development, creating opportunities and distributing the benefits of tourism across Sarawak. Jason Tan Chin Foo, Acting CEO of BESarawak, added that business events today must deliver impact, and this conference strengthens regional networks, fosters high-value tourism, and positions Sarawak as a legacy-driven business events hub in Malaysia and Borneo.

    Delegates will also engage in an immersive outdoor learning experience, including cultural exchanges and community-based tourism activities, offering firsthand insight into preserving cultural identity and delivering authentic visitor experiences.

    For more information about the 3rd Southeast Asian Tourist Guides Conference 2026, visit https://www.sktga.org/.

  • IJN University College and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris Form Strategic Partnership to Launch Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) Programme

    IJN University College and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris Form Strategic Partnership to Launch Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) Programme

    IJN University College (IJNUC) has taken a significant step in expanding its academic offerings by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), establishing a strategic partnership to offer the Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) programme. The collaboration marks a shared commitment by both institutions to strengthen academic excellence and address the growing importance of psychology within Malaysia’s healthcare sector.

    Under the agreement, UPSI will serve as the awarding body for the degree, while IJNUC will lead programme delivery. Leveraging its strong academic foundation and clinically immersive learning environment, IJNUC aims to produce psychology graduates who embody competence, compassion, and industry readiness. The MoA was formalised through the signing ceremony between Prof. Emerita Durrishah Idrus, Vice-Chancellor of IJNUC, and Prof. Dato’ Dr. Md Amin bin Md Taff, Vice-Chancellor of UPSI.

    Prof. Emerita Durrishah emphasised that the partnership is aligned with IJNUC’s ongoing efforts to broaden its academic portfolio beyond the traditional clinical sciences. She highlighted the crucial role psychology plays in healthcare, noting that understanding human behaviour and mental wellness is essential for holistic patient care. “This collaboration with UPSI opens an exciting new chapter for IJNUC. Psychology is deeply intertwined with healthcare, as understanding human behaviour and mental wellness is crucial in treating patients holistically. By combining IJNUC’s strengths in healthcare education with UPSI’s academic excellence, we are preparing future professionals who can serve with both competence and compassion, a vital balance in today’s healthcare landscape,” she said.

    Echoing this sentiment, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Md Amin bin Md Taff noted that the initiative underscores UPSI’s mission to broaden its impact through partnerships that connect academic knowledge with real-world applications. He highlighted the timeliness of integrating psychology into healthcare as Malaysia continues to prioritise mental health and emotional well-being. “UPSI is proud to work alongside IJNUC in nurturing graduates who not only possess psychological knowledge but also the ability to apply it effectively within healthcare settings. This initiative is a step forward in producing a new generation of psychologists who are ready to contribute meaningfully to society,” he added.

    The Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) programme will offer students a multidisciplinary curriculum that blends theoretical knowledge, clinical exposure, and hands-on learning within healthcare environments. This integrated approach will strengthen their understanding of psychological dimensions in patient care and better prepare them for diverse professional pathways across the health, education, and community sectors.

    The signing of the MoA represents another important milestone in IJNUC’s journey to advance healthcare education through strategic collaborations with reputable institutions. It reinforces the institution’s role as a leading centre for teaching, research, and professional development in Malaysia. Pending approval from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), the programme is expected to welcome its first cohort in September 2025.

  • IJN University College Teams Up with iRehab to Strengthen Professional Development and Career Opportunities for Students

    IJN University College Teams Up with iRehab to Strengthen Professional Development and Career Opportunities for Students

    IJN University College (IJNUC) has announced a strategic partnership with IREHAB Integrated Rehabilitation (M) Sdn. Bhd. through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aimed at enhancing internship and employment opportunities for students and graduates. This collaboration is designed to provide hands-on professional experience, skill development, and real-world application of knowledge across multiple disciplines, with a particular focus on healthcare, rehabilitation, patient care, and related administrative and technical roles. Under the agreement, IREHAB will offer internships primarily for students enrolled in healthcare-related programs such as Diploma, Bachelor, and Certificate courses, enabling them to gain relevant clinical and technical experience. Students from other disciplines, including management, business, and IT, may also benefit from internship and potential employment opportunities in areas such as administration, operations, research, marketing, and digital support, broadening their professional exposure.

    The partnership further promotes the sharing of teaching and learning facilities for study, research, and training purposes, as well as joint promotion of initiatives on respective platforms, subject to approval. Prof. Emerita Dr. Durrishah Idrus, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of IJN University College, highlighted that the collaboration with IREHAB, a leading integrated rehabilitation service provider, will equip students with invaluable practical experience and professional insight, preparing them to enter the workforce with competence and confidence. She added that such partnerships reinforce IJNUC’s commitment to producing job-ready graduates capable of making meaningful contributions to the healthcare sector and beyond. The MoU is set to remain in effect for five years, with provisions for review and renewal, reflecting a long-term commitment to fostering continuous development and sustainable opportunities for students.