Malaysia: Malaysia’s edutourism sector is gaining momentum, with growing interest from regional higher education institutions in experiential learning programmes that combine education with tourism.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Langkawi Tourism Academy @ Kolej Komuniti Langkawi (LTA) director Rohana Sahak cited a recent example, noting that the academy recently hosted 15 students from Thailand’s Songkhla Rajabhat University under the ‘Let’s Go Langkawi Edutourism Geopark Odyssey’ programme.
Rohana highlighted that LTA offers Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes in hospitality, particularly hotel and tourism management, which have been well received among ASEAN students. She expressed optimism about the programme’s success and hopes for further collaborations, particularly with institutions in the ASEAN region.
Rohana also noted that edutourism promotes cultural and language exchange while immersing international students in community-based hospitality experiences. The initiative is supported by industry players, including Dreamz Travel Sdn Bhd. The programme, led by the Internationalisation Unit of the TVET Coordination Division under the Department of Polytechnic and Community College Education (JPPKK), aims to strengthen the regional hospitality sector and support Malaysia’s goal of becoming a regional education hub.
Meanwhile, Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) chief executive officer Novie Tajuddin stated that Malaysia currently hosts about 137,000 international students, facilitated by the International Student Arrival Centre (ISAC) at KLIA Terminals 1 and 2. ISAC is the first initiative of its kind globally, assisting international students before immigration clearance, with staff available 24/7. Tajuddin added that transnational education partnerships also allow students to begin their studies in Malaysia before continuing abroad.
He mentioned that in conjunction with the ASEAN Chairmanship, several initiatives were introduced specifically for international students from ASEAN countries. Among them is the Graduate Pass, which provides visa facilities to students who have completed their studies in Malaysia. Additionally, EMGS aims to increase regional cooperation, especially from ASEAN countries, to a higher level through student mobility programmes and scholarship funding programmes.
Earlier at the forum, Malaysia and Timor-Leste signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in higher education, in conjunction with the ASEAN Ministers of Education and Higher Education Roundtable 2025. The MoU, signed by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and Timor-Leste’s Higher Education Minister Jos© Hon³rio da Costa Pereira Jer³nimo, includes collaboration in TVET, STEM, education technology, and academic staff training.