George town: The Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) today formalised its strategic partnership with six institutions of higher learning to strengthen the talent pipeline for Malaysia's business events industry. PCEB inked the memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with SENTRAL College Penang, DISTED College, INTI International College Penang, SEGi College Penang, UOW Malaysia KDU Penang University College (Batu Kawan Campus), and Taylor's University (Lakeside Campus).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, PCEB was represented by its chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekeran, while the signing ceremony was witnessed by Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai. Ashwin stated that under PCEB's Business Events (BE) Associate Programme, the agency and its academic partners are committed to developing students and supporting the future of the business events industry. He emphasized that the strength of the BE industry should be measured not only by the number of conferences hosted or economic impact generated but also by the quality of the people leading and shaping the industry.
Ashwin highlighted that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to the development of students and the future of the BE industry. He mentioned that the strength of the industry depends on current and future leaders. Through the BE Associate Programme, students will gain greater access to the industry while pursuing their studies. The programme offers opportunities for students to attend conferences, forums, and workshops; explore internship opportunities; and engage in knowledge-sharing sessions. This early exposure allows students to understand event organization, stakeholder communication, and problem-solving on the ground.
Ashwin also noted that the BE industry is a diverse ecosystem encompassing hospitality, marketing, communications, technology, sales, creative industries, and other supporting sectors, offering multiple career pathways for graduates. Meanwhile, Wong expressed that the partnership is a strategic investment in Penang's future competitiveness, as business events remain among the highest-value segments of the tourism industry. He stated that future competitiveness will be determined by the talent nurtured in the industry, as infrastructure attracts events, but talented individuals create memorable experiences and build lasting reputations.
Wong further added that the collaboration aims to strengthen the talent ecosystem by providing students with practical industry exposure and reinforcing collaboration between academia and industry. This initiative supports Penang's aspiration to remain one of Asia's leading business events destinations.