Tourism Malaysia Director-General, Mr Mohd. Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, has been appointed as an Adjunct Professor (Industry) at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) to guide curriculum enhancement, mentor faculty and students, and help bridge academic research with practical industry strategy in support of national initiatives like Edu+ and Visit Malaysia Year 2026–2027.

Image

In a major step towards bridging academia and the tourism industry, Mr Mohd. Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Director-General of Tourism Malaysia — an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) — was officially appointed as Adjunct Professor (Industry) at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU).

Mr Mohd. Amirul Rizal was appointed as the Director-General of Tourism Malaysia effective 8 December 2025, succeeding Datuk Manoharan Periasamy following his retirement on 6 December 2025. 

Holding a Master’s Degree in Tourism Management from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Mr Amirul Rizal brings over two decades of extensive industry experience to the role, having begun his career with the organization in September 2002 within the Research Division.

Throughout his 23-year tenure at Tourism Malaysia, he has held various key leadership positions, including State Director for Terengganu, Director of the Overseas Office in Seoul, South Korea, and Senior Director of Advertising & Digital. 

His proven expertise across international market promotion, digital marketing, and strategic planning positions him to lead the national promotional drive for the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.

The appointment was formalised during a delegation visit to MoTAC, led by Professor Dr Kashif Hussain, APU Senior Head School of Global Hospitality and Tourism (SoGHT) and School of Business (SoB), alongside Dr Teh Choon Jin, APU Registrar and Senior Director of Administration & Human Resources.

They were accompanied by APU SoGHT Senior Lecturer Dr Kumaresu Murugasu @ Murugesi and Mr Fan Wai Mun.

During the visit, Dr Teh presented the official certificate of appointment to Mr Mohd. Amirul Rizal, who was accompanied by Mr Akbal Setia, Deputy Director-General (Promotion) of Tourism Malaysia and Head of the Visit Malaysia Secretariat 2026–2027. 

In his new role as Adjunct Professor, Mr Mohd. Amirul Rizal will provide strategic advisory on the continuous enhancement of the University’s industry engagement, academic curricula, and research frameworks. 

Leveraging his vast experience, he will actively contribute through industry forums, CEO roundtables, guest lectures, and university conferences.

Furthermore, he will mentor APU academic staff to elevate R&D, industry linkages, and commercialisation efforts, while providing invaluable guidance, leadership, and mentorship to students and student societies.

His role aims to enrich APU’s academic offerings and strengthen its positioning as a premier institution for global hospitality and tourism education.

Reflecting on the collaboration and the evolving landscape of global tourism, Mr Mohd. Amirul Rizal highlighted the critical need for harmony between academic theory and practical execution.

“Tourism Malaysia and MoTAC requires strong, active support from both the public and private sectors. 

“Higher education institutions serve as our intellectual baseline as they hold the theoretical expertise and research framework that guide us. However, true impact happens when academic knowledge meets practical industry execution,” he said.

Through initiatives like the Edu+ programme — launched by MoTAC via Tourism Malaysia in collaboration with National Association of Private Educational Institutions (NAPEI) — they are redefining edutourism. 

Edu+ is not merely about inviting short-term visitors or summer camp participants; it is designed to give international students a genuine, immersive experience within our vibrant local university ecosystem.

“We must also recognise that tourism is an inherently fragile sector, easily affected by global geopolitical uncertainties, environmental factors like the haze season, and shifting market dynamics. 

“These realities require us to adapt our action plans continuously. I want APU students to appreciate this vulnerability and think creatively. Hoteliers and travel operators must collaborate to craft meaningful, experiential products and moving beyond iconic photo opportunities in front of the PETRONAS Twin Towers to deliver authentic Malaysian hospitality.”

Welcoming the industry leader to the faculty, Professor Dr Kashif added that this appointment would have a transformative impact on APU, especially SoGHT.

“We are deeply honoured to welcome Mr Mohd. Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim to the APU family as our Adjunct Professor. His profound industry insight and visionary leadership at Tourism Malaysia will be invaluable to our students and faculty alike.

“In today’s fast-changing global environment, educating the next generation of tourism and hospitality leaders requires real-world exposure, agility, and forward-thinking strategy,” he said.

“Having a leader of Mr Mohd. Amirul’s calibre guide our strategic directions and mentor our students will bridge the gap between classroom learning and national tourism development. Together, we are committed to shaping industry-ready professionals who can navigate global challenges and elevate Malaysia’s standing on the world stage.”