PCEB Partners With Six Institutions To Strengthen Business Events Talent
GEORGE TOWN, July 21 (Bernama) – The Penang Convention & 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).
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 said that under PCEB’s Business Events (BE) Associate Programme, the agency and its academic partners were committed to developing students and supporting the future of the business events industry.
He said the strength of the BE industry should not be measured solely by the number of conferences hosted, delegates received, or economic impact generated, but also by the quality of the people who lead, manage, and shape the industry.
He said that beyond the signing ceremony, the tie-up reflects a shared commitment toward the development of our students and the future of the BE industry as a whole.
“The strength of our industry also depends on the people who are leading, and eventually, the people who will be leading, managing and shaping it.
“Through the BE Associate Programme, we want students to have greater access to the industry while they are pursuing their studies,” he said during the signing ceremony here today.
He said students would have opportunities to attend conferences, forums, and workshops; explore internship opportunities; and participate in knowledge-sharing sessions, besides engaging directly with industry practitioners to better understand the sector.
Ashwin said the programme was designed to give students early exposure to the industry instead of waiting until graduation, allowing them to understand how events are organised, communicate with different stakeholders, solve challenges on the ground and see ideas develop into actual events.
He said the BE industry was a diverse ecosystem encompassing hospitality, marketing, communications, technology, sales, creative industries and other supporting sectors, offering multiple career pathways for graduates.
Meanwhile, Wong said the partnership was a strategic investment in Penang’s future competitiveness as business events continue to be among the highest-value segments of the tourism industry.
“Our future competitiveness will not be determined solely by the events we attract, but by the people we nurture.
“Infrastructure can attract events, but talented people create memorable experiences, build lasting reputations and keep visitors coming back,” he said.
He said the collaboration would strengthen the talent ecosystem by providing students with practical industry exposure while reinforcing collaboration between academia and industry, supporting Penang’s aspiration to remain one of Asia’s leading business events destinations.
-- BERNAMA