Tourism Minister Confered Honorary Doctorate
KUALA LUMPUR, SEPT 4, 2012: Tourism Minister Dato’ Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen was conferred Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) by the Chancellor of the Josai International University (JIU), Noriko Mizuta in Tokyo today.
The conferment of the honorary doctorate was in recognition of Dato’ Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen’s significant contributions in the development of the tourism industry, nation building and in the forging of closer relations and cooperation between Josai International University and Malaysia.
The conferment of the honorary doctorate was in recognition of Dato’ Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen’s significant contributions in the development of the tourism industry, nation building and in the forging of closer relations and cooperation between Josai International University and Malaysia.
Malaysia aspires to position itself as a centre for educational excellence in the Asia-Pacific region. Towards this end, various educational facilities and infrastructure have been developed. Public and private institutions of higher learning as well as collaborations with foreign universities have also been stepped up to attract even more foreign students to the country.
The political stability, peace, technological progress and the low exchange rate are cited as factors that make Malaysia a conducive environment for learning. Its racial harmony testifies that Malaysia readily accepts students from various religious and cultural backgrounds.
The main agency responsible for the development of educational tourism is the Higher Education Ministry while the Tourism Ministry helps in terms of its promotion.
Tourism Industry to Help Push Malaysia Forward
Business entities and entrepreneurs need to anticipate opportunities in the travel and tourism sector, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said at the opening of the 2012 Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Annual Conference at The Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
"The World Tourism Organisation (WTO) forecast that international tourist arrivals will reach one billion by 2012, and 1.8 billion by 2030, with the Asia and Pacific areas gaining most of the new arrivals.
"In addition, these countries will enjoy an increased share of the global tourist market, from 22 per cent in 2011 to 30 per cent in 2030," said Muhyiddin.
Even today the charm of Asia and the Pacific remains irresistible to many, he added, highlighting that in 2011, 217 million international tourists flowed into Asia Pacific, which is a far cry from the 22 million recorded in 1980.
"I must say that Malaysia is fortunate to have its fair share of the global tourism market. A little over a decade ago, we received only seven million tourists, but last year, we had 24.7 million tourists."
Tourism was the seventh largest industry contributing to the Gross National Income (GNI) in 2011, after the oil, gas and energy; wholesale and retail; palm oil and rubber; financial services; agriculture; and electrical and electronics sectors.
Statistics showed that in 2011, Malaysia received 24.7 million tourists, a big jump from the seven million tourists that visited in 1999.
It is Malaysia's fourth time since 1972 to host the event by the international membership association that aims to catalyse the responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism ministry.
On the issue of climate change, Muhyiddin urged PATA to take the intiative to address its adverse effects on the region's natural attractions and tourism activities.
"Tourist attractions, hence tourism commercial activities, in the Asia- Pacific region largely comprises the exploration its natural environment and ecology. Therefore, concerted efforts by all parties are necessary to protect these priceless resources," he said.
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation has warned that the rise of sea levels, crop yield losses, extreme weather conditions will directly impact tourism and niche markets. It would take some US$40bil (RM122.6bil) a year until 2050 for Asia Pacific countries to prepare for the effects of climate change.
"The Malaysian Government also acknowledges the potential of our tourism industry, as it is one of 12 high-growth industries that will be used to kickstart the Government's Economic Transformation Programme (ETP). 12 Entry Point Projects have been identified to spur the growth of the industry between now and 2020, providing almost half a million job opportunities," he said.
By 2020, the tourism industry is expected to contribute RM103.6 billion in GNI, with arrivals increasing to 36 million.
Among Malaysia's most popular tourism offerings is the Malaysian Homestay tourism experience. There are 150 homestay clusters located all over Malaysia, with 3,211 operators offering 4,309 rooms to allow tourists to experience Malaysian culture in rural areas, away from the modern trappings of city life. In 2011, RM15.74 million in revenue was generated from the homestay programme, which flowed back into the local communities.
Other sustainable tourism initiatives by the Tourism Ministry include the Malaysia Business Tourism Green Programme known as "Let's Meet and Green" to support the government's commitment to offset carbon emissions by 40 per cent by the year 2020 and the "Green Hotel" classification of accommodation according to the Asean Hotel Standards.
Excelsior International School Completion by September 2013
JOHOR BAHARU: AN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL VALUED AT RM60 MILLION WILL BE BUILT IN SERI ALAM, HERE, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE FULLY COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR. PASIR GUDANG MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT DATUK SERI MOHAMED KHALED NORDIN SAID THE EXCELSIOR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL WILL BE CONSTRUCTED ON EIGHT HECTARES OF LAND AND PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE OPTION TO PARENTS WHO SEND THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOLS IN SINGAPORE.
"There are parents who send their children for schooling in Singapore...and this will offer them a choice. "This way they no longer need to get up early to send their children all the way there," he told reporters after the school groundbreaking ceremony at Jalan Purnama, Bandar Seri Alam, today. Mohamed Khaled, who is also Higher Education Minister, said besides the shorter distance the school offers academic fees which are 15 per cent lower compared to institutions in Singapore.
He said the school jointly built with Seri Alam Properties Sdn Bhd and Singapore-based company Raffles Campus Pte Ltd will be furnished with hostels, airconditioned classrooms, swimming pool and tennis courts. The school which is able to accommodate over 2,500 students at a time will be fully managed by Raffles Campus, with an internationally recognised syllabus and co-curriculum activities for students aged between three and 18.
"The first student intake will be early next year. Such schools are in line with the government's hopes to develop the economy through the education sector, as well as turn Seri Alam into a knowledge city," he added.
-Bernama.
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