With its multiracial and colourful cultural background, Malaysia will be able to enhance economic growth through various sectors. In fact, it is one of the factors that have attracted international students to further their studies in Malaysia. Hence, UTMSPACE has taken this opportunity to organise UTMSPACE International Week from 22 January 2019 until 16 February 2019. This initiative was taken in order to expose Malaysia, in particular Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), as a perfect destination for higher education with high quality education and infrastructure.

UTMSPACE International Week which was held for almost five weeks, involving three universities with a total of 72 participants. It was filled with various interesting programmes; Study Abroad Programme participated by Yangtze University, China was held throughout the whole UTMSPACE International week, Passage To Asia (P2A)-Journey on-campus UTM involving participants from Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore started from 21 January until 24 January 2019, and Winter School Programme participated by students from Providence University, Taiwan was held from 21 January until 1 February 2019.

Students from Yangtze University were very excited to seize opportunity such as this, since life in Malaysia is much different from what they have gone through in their country.  These students, who came from different field of studies, have explored Malaysian traditional culture especially Malay culture; traditions and religion for their research purposes. According to their representatives, Miss Nicole and Mr Kelvin, Study Abroad Programme has also given them the opportunity to learn English Language in a simpler and relax method with guidance from UTMSPACE lecturers. According to them, learning English from a non-native speaker is much easier than learning from a native speaker. English Language class was one of the compulsory classes that they have to attend during the programme.

For Passage to Asia (P2A)-Journey on-campus UTM programme, participants were students from Diploma in Game Design & Development, Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore. These students were exposed to various technology and innovation available at Media and Game Innovation Centre of Excellence (MaGICX), UTM. According to Mr Sean, it was a very fruitful knowledge sharing session. All the knowledge shared and gained were relevant to their field of study.

Meanwhile, for students from Providence University, Taiwan, Winter School programme has offered a platform to improve their English language communication skills. Mr Steven, the students’ representative said that the knowledge sharing session was very encouraging. Lots of things were discussed throughout the session. The lecturers were very helpful in assisting the students to comprehend everything that has been taught, from understanding several aspects of language, how to develop self-confidence, up to cultivating team spirit.

All participants were brought for a tour visit to UTM Campus in Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur. They also had the opportunity to visit several tourist attractions such as Putrajaya, KLCC, Central Market, Tanjung Piai-Southernmost Tip of Asia & National Park, Kota Iskandar and few other interesting places. They had a chance to experience three-day cultural and social activities at Kampung Parit Bugis where they were introduced to Malay culture from Javanese and Buginese descent.

This programme will give a huge impact in introducing tourism through education or vice versa. Besides diversifying source of income to the country especially UTM, it will definitely be a more interesting way to introduce Malaysian Education internationally.