Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia is well-placed to become a key player in the global edutourism sector, leveraging its strengths in education, cultural diversity, and affordability to attract international students, said Datuk Lau Wai Cheng, president of the National Association of Private Educational Institutions (NAPEI).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Lau stated that edutourism, the convergence of education and tourism, presents Malaysia with a timely opportunity to diversify its visitor economy while showcasing the nation’s educational prowess. She emphasized that as experiential travel demand grows globally, international students and their families increasingly seek programs that extend beyond traditional classroom instruction.
Lau highlighted Malaysia’s affordability, cultural diversity, and English-speaking environment as key factors that position the country to capitalize on the shift towards edutourism. This aligns with Visit Malaysia 2026, aiming to offer learners enriching experiences that blend education, culture, and personal development.
The NAPEI president added that Malaysia is leading in delivering immersive learning experiences that are relevant, inclusive, and globally competitive. Strong partnerships, supportive policy frameworks, and institutional readiness contribute to this success. “We are not simply promoting programs through edutourism. We are helping to build mutual understanding, empower communities, and shape a future where education extends beyond borders and leaves a lasting impact,” she said.
Lau explained that NAPEI has played a pivotal role in enhancing the private education ecosystem and its global presence for over three decades. By engaging with its member institutions, the association has promoted high standards in academic delivery and supported initiatives that have expanded the global reach of Malaysian education.
She noted that NAPEI members have offered short courses for students seeking to improve their English proficiency while immersing themselves in Malaysian culture. These courses incorporate cultural and heritage experiences, collaborations with local schools, homestays with local families, sports tourism, eco- and nature-based activities, and modules aligned with Sustainable Development Goals.
“This format provides international learners, especially from neighbouring countries, with meaningful exposure to our society and values,” Lau said, noting that this approach aligns with national efforts such as Edu+, an initiative with Tourism Malaysia to expand access to culturally anchored short-term learning experiences.
Lau also highlighted that Malaysian institutions secured top 50 positions in key areas such as petroleum engineering, hospitality and leisure management, education, and data science in the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject. “These achievements strengthen the country’s standing as a trusted education destination in the region,” she stated.
Furthermore, Malaysia’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka marks a significant step in showcasing the country’s edutourism potential to a global audience, with a particular focus on Japan. Lau explained that the Expo is seen as a chance to initiate meaningful conversations with Japanese families, educators, and institutional stakeholders, rather than just a platform for immediate recruitment.
“We created awareness of Malaysia’s ability to host short-term, immersive learning experiences, listened to our Japanese counterparts to better understand their expectations, and highlighted our strengths as a safe, accessible, and culturally rich education destination,” Lau said. She concluded by expressing readiness to work with Japan to create meaningful, student-centred experiences that reflect the values of both countries.