As the President of Sustainable Future Fusion (SFF@APU), I had the honour of coordinating this strategic collaboration—one that marks a new chapter in sustainable tourism, youth empowerment, and heritage preservation.
A Journey That Began with Cultural Unity
Our partnership with KLTESA was not born overnight. In fact, it was built on mutual trust and collaboration that began with the successful co-organization of World Cultural Diversity Day 2024.
Held at APU, the event brought together students, tourism stakeholders, and community leaders to celebrate the richness of global traditions and promote intercultural understanding through food, music, fashion, and dialogue. The event not only sparked meaningful conversations but also solidified a shared vision between SFF and KLTESA—to cultivate a tourism ecosystem that values inclusion, sustainability, and identity.
Bridging Academia and Industry for a Greener Tomorrow
This newly signed MoU, anchored under APU’s School of Business (SoB), aims to develop and nurture the next generation of tourism professionals who are equipped with both technical skills and a sustainable mindset.
The collaboration is directly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Empowering Students Through Real-World Impact
This alliance offers APU students the opportunity to:
- Lead and participate in community-driven tourism campaigns
- Join capacity-building workshops focusing on eco-tourism and heritage protection
- Gain exposure to KLTESA’s professional network for real-world engagement and internships
- Co-develop sustainability projects and digital innovations that promote responsible travel
The MoU signing was attended by distinguished figures from both APU and KLTESA, including:
- Prof Dr Ho Chin Kuan, Vice-Chancellor of APU
- Mr Oh Soon Meng, Chairman of KLTESA
- Mr Khoo Hock Aun, Partnership Bureau Chairperson, KLTESA
- Ms Mayli Lim, Social Chair, KLTESA
- Ms Irene Chan, Mentor, KLTESA
- Mr Ramesh Pillai, Mentor, KLTESA
- Ms Cynthia Mala Paul Dorairaj, Advisor of SFF@APU and lecturer, School of Business
A Vision for the Future
As someone deeply committed to sustainability and youth leadership, I believe this partnership demonstrates what can be achieved when students, academia, and industry work together with purpose.
Our journey with KLTESA—from cultural celebrations to institutional collaboration—is a testament to the power of shared goals and inclusive action.
This is only the beginning. Through continuous collaboration, we will cultivate a future where tourism not only showcases Malaysia’s beauty—but preserves it for generations to come.
Together, we are forging new horizons.
