New partnership to boost training for exhibition industry professionals in Malaysia

By signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), UFI, the Global Association for the Exhibition Industry, will give Malaysian business events professionals access to the UFI Certified Professional designation (UCP), which is recognised throughout the world, starting in 2023.

With courses on exhibition management and venue management, Malaysia’s new UCP training programme will be developed with and delivered by industry experts from Malaysia and beyond.

The agreement was signed by MyCEB Chief Operating Officer Noor Ahmad Hamid and UFI Managing Director & CEO Kai Hattendorf at the 89th UFI Global Congress in Muscat, Oman.

Kai Hattendorf says: “Building on UFI’s very strong relationship with MyCEB, we’re excited to jointly focus on new support for education and training for our peers in Malaysia’s business events industry. Together with such trusted international partners, we can provide professionals around the world the opportunity to learn from the best in their field, and to showcase that with the UCP designation.”

Noor Ahmad Hamid adds: UFI’s leadership in the global exhibition industry is highly respected and we value this opportunity to collaborate through this momentous MoU signed during the 89th UFI Congress. The introduction of UCP programme to the Malaysian industry players will further advance our professionalism. We hope to continue this good relationship with UFI for other innovative collaborations in the future. With this, we are prepared for everything that may arise in 2023 and beyond.”

The decision to open up the UCP programme in Malaysia is based on a shared belief that both UFI and MyCEB will benefit from actively supporting a highly skilled, agile workforce who are prepared to do business globally.

The UCP programme is tailored to the specific needs of exhibition organisers and venues in each region of the world where it operates. The curriculum developed under this new partnership will be designed to boost professionalism in Malaysia’s business events sector – in line with MyCEB’s work to establish a national Business Events Standard. Options may range from business development, leadership and crisis management, to digital innovation and sustainable development.

Graduates of the Malaysian programme will receive an internationally recognised UCP certification, becoming part of the dynamic global network of UFI professionals. In this way, each new business to offer the UCP programme to its employees contributes to raising industry standards worldwide.

The UCP was launched in 2021 at the request of UFI members, based on the organisation’s long experience in delivering globally relevant, regionally-adapted training for exhibition industry professionals. The UCP programme consists of two foundation programmes and a wide range of specialised modules, delivered by UFI and carefully selected educational partners.

The UCP’s modular structure enables training to be adapted to the employees of each company. As well as a ‘pick and choose’ course for individual professionals, companies benefit from in-house solutions to re-skill and up-skill their work force.