Irmohizam first Malaysian to receive top award at EEA 2025
KUALA LUMPUR — Group Managing Director of World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) Datuk Seri Dr Irmohizam Ibrahim (picture) has made history by becoming the first Malaysian to receive the Distinguished Leadership Award at the Exhibition Excellence Awards (EEA) 2025 in Navi Mumbai, India.
WTCKL, in a statement, said the event was hosted by Exhibition Showcase, India's largest industry award platform and held at the CIDCO Exhibition & Convention Centre on May 31.
It said the EEA celebrates key figures and acknowledges the contributions of the unsung heroes in the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) and Business Events (BE) industries.
'Datuk Seri Dr Irmohizam Ibrahim's unwavering dedication to reshaping the future of the BE industry while setting new benchmarks for continued growth was recognised with this award,' the statement read.
The award was presented by Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) chief executive officer Michael Kruppe, in recognition of Irmohizam's transformative leadership and his pivotal role in reshaping the future of the industry.
'I am deeply honoured to receive this prestigious award as it reflects my passion and unwavering commitment to the growth and transformation of the BE industry.
'I hope that in the future we can build a more resilient, innovative and inclusive ecosystem that empowers industry players to succeed and thrive in an evolving global landscape,' Irmohizam was quoted as saying.
Irmohizam, who also serves on the Board of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), was commended for his vision and impact in positioning Malaysia as a central hub for business events in the Asian region and globally.
Other recipients include Ray Bloom, founder and chairman of IMEX Group; Mala Dorasamy, CEO of the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre; and Adeline Vancauwelaert, chief operating officer of UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.
In the statement, WTCKL also congratulated Irmohizam on his milestone achievement, citing his dedication as an inspiration to the industry. — BERNAMA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Chinese students may turn to M'sia
Making the right choice: (From left) Li, Pei and Lou at the USM campus. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: President Donald Trump's order to tighten visa rules in the United States for students from China may benefit universities in Malaysia. Pei Qi, a 42-year-old English teacher from China who is pursuing a postgraduate degree at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), said he has noticed more of his students in China considering Malaysia over the US. 'Many of my students who initially planned to go to the US are now considering Malaysia for further studies. 'One of them gave up on her US application because of visa delays and uncertainty, and then applied to Monash University Malaysia and USM,' he said. Pei said that the student and her mother visited Penang and were drawn to the island's safety, lifestyle and international feel. 'They were worried about whether they could get into a public university here, but the affordability and global rankings of Malaysian institutions have prompted them to apply,' he said, adding that Malaysia's strong ties with China is an important factor. 'Malaysia takes education seriously. I see effort going into improving curriculum, research and global rankings,' Pei added. He recalled seeing China's content creators on Douyin (China's version of TikTok) mentioning that Malaysia has become the seventh most popular study abroad destination for students from China. Pei said the United States' new policy against students from China had affected the global standing of the US. 'I see real, long-term damage to America's reputation as the world's leader,' he said. 'The global landscape has changed. The US is no longer the only option for high-quality, English-medium education. 'It's sad to lose access to the US, but it's not the end of the road.' First-year Bachelor of Arts in English student Lou Xiaoxiao, 20, said studying in the US is still a dream for many from her homeland. 'It's still the top choice for a lot of us because of its academic resources and reputation. 'At the moment, I can say Malaysia is more of an option,' she said. Lou added that visa issues and parents' concerns about global tensions do play a role and more families are looking at safety and cost when making decisions. She feels that China's families are prioritising "cost-effectiveness" and "a sense of security" in their decision-making regarding their children's studies overseas. Another student, Li Hehe, 25, said despite the visa crackdown, he felt most Chinese families still hope to send their children to the US, believing strongly in the value of an American education. 'I've worked in the study abroad consultancy field. Students and parents who choose the US believe in it deeply. 'Even though the US might be the most expensive option, the choice of the US often reflects a serious commitment,' said Li, who is in his final year of a Bachelor's degree in urban and regional planning at USM. On May 28, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that some Chinese students would have their visas revoked, especially those studying in sensitive fields or linked to the Chinese Communist Party. China is the second-largest source of international students in the US after India. More than 270,000 students from China enrolled in American institutions in the 2023–2024 academic year, about a quarter of all international students there. USM lecturer Dr Kamaruzzaman Abdul Manan, from the School of Communication, said Malaysian universities should seize the opportunity. "China sends more students abroad than any other country. Even a 10% to 15% drop in those heading to the US means thousands will look for other destinations,' he said. He added that Malaysia's strong education system and position in Asean made it an ideal choice for students from China. 'Having more students from China can raise a university's profile, attract funding and increase global partnerships,' he said.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Grappling with AI investments
MALAYSIAN companies are often said to be lagging in digital transformation, which could impact their competitiveness. The discussion gets more animated if artificial intelligence (AI) is the subject. Companies are encouraged to embrace AI as it is expected to revolutionise every aspect of business, and those that fail to adapt may face significant challenges, even closure. Billed as RM9.73 for the 1st month then RM13.90 thereafters. RM12.33/month RM8.63/month Billed as RM103.60 for the 1st year then RM148 thereafters. Free Trial For new subscribers only
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Foreign crew ban not quite the catch
KLANG: The price of fish in Malaysia could see a sharp increase if the current restriction preventing Zone A and Zone B fishermen from hiring foreign crew members continues, fishing industry representatives have warned. Selangor Fishermen's Association chairman Omar Abdul Rahman said the shortage of local workers willing to work on fishing boats has left many small-scale fishermen heavily reliant on foreign labour. 'There is a high chance the industry will be adversely affected, with prices surging indiscriminately due to the lack of manpower,' he said. Omar noted that since pricing is determined by demand and supply, the reduced stock caused by fewer boats going out to sea would be a key factor in driving up prices. 'We have been constantly asking the authorities to allow Zone A and Zone B fishermen to hire foreign workers, but our pleas have gone unheard,' he added. Omar explained that Zone A vessels are traditional boats using small nets (pukat jerut bilis), while Zone B vessels are larger and use both small and trawler nets (pukat jerut and pukat tunda). Zone A boats are permitted to operate up to five nautical miles from the shore, while Zone B vessels may operate up to 12 nautical miles. 'Zone B trawlers yield the largest catch, while Zone A boats offer the best quality fish due to the type of net used,' said Omar. Currently, only Zone C vessels, which are much larger, are allowed to operate up to 30 nautical miles from the shore, including into maritime border areas. These vessels are permitted to hire foreign workers. Echoing this sentiment, Sekinchan Fishermen's Association adviser Chia Tian Hee said the restriction has forced some fishermen to resort to hiring illegal foreign workers out of desperation. When enforcement operations are conducted by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) or the Fisheries Department, Chia said many boats do not go out to sea, resulting in reduced catches and higher prices. Chia said while Malaysian waters are rich in fish, the dangerous nature of the job is one reason many local fishermen prefer to hire foreign workers to do the fishing. According to Selangor MMEA records, 17 Zone A and Zone B boats, owned by Malaysian fishermen but fully manned by foreigners, were detained in 2024, with seven more detained so far in 2025 for similar offences. Meanwhile, Selangor Fisheries Department director Noraisyah Abu Bakar said the restrictions on Zones A and B are based on valid and well-considered reasons. She said Zone A and Zone B boat owners must hire only local workers, as the authorities do not want to deprive Malaysians of job opportunities. 'We also have to be careful not to become overly dependent on foreign labour, as the fisheries sector is an important component of our national food security chain,' she said. Noraisyah also explained that the fishing zone system was introduced to prevent overfishing and protect marine resources. 'Fish is an important food source for our people, and we have the necessary procedures in place to ensure this resource is safeguarded,' she said. She added that when prohibitions and regulations are introduced by the Fisheries Department, they are not implemented arbitrarily. 'They are backed by extensive research and studies conducted by our Fisheries Research Institute,' she said. Noraisyah acknowledged that larger vessels in Zone C require more manpower, which is why operators are permitted to hire foreign workers in accordance with Immigration Department regulations.
