The Opening Ceremony of “Russia’s Inbound Tourism Specialities & Opportunities 2.0” was successfully held online via Zoom on 8 July 2026, bringing together representatives, speakers, organisers, and participants from Russia, Malaysia, and other countries to mark the commencement of this meaningful international programme.

The programme is jointly organised by the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Malaysia, the International Transnational Education Association (ITEA), and the Jabatan Pendidikan Politeknik dan Kolej Komuniti (JPPKK), with the support of Politeknik Ungku Omar (PUO). This initiative aims to enhance knowledge exchange, strengthen professional development, and promote greater understanding of Russia’s tourism industry among international participants.

The opening ceremony was honoured by the presence of Ms. Ekaterina Evgrafova, Representative of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, together with representatives from the Russian House in Malaysia, ITEA, the International Cultural Communication Center Malaysia (ICCCM), JPPKK, and Politeknik Ungku Omar.

During the ceremony, participants were introduced to the objectives and significance of the programme, which focuses on exploring Russia’s inbound tourism landscape, tourism opportunities, cultural heritage, and industry development. The programme serves as a platform to foster cross-border cooperation and encourage knowledge sharing between Russia and Malaysia in the fields of tourism, education, and cultural exchange.

Special appreciation is extended to Dr. Andrey, Mr. Benjamin, Dr. Hajah Salmi Binti Che Meh, and the main instructor, Mr. Ilya Gurgutsov, for their valuable contributions and support in making this programme a success.

Through this initiative, ITEA, together with its partners, continues to promote international collaboration and create opportunities for students, educators, and industry professionals to gain global exposure and strengthen cooperation between Russia and Malaysia.

The successful opening of “Russia’s Inbound Tourism Specialities & Opportunities 2.0” marks another important milestone in advancing international education, cultural exchange, and tourism cooperation. The organisers look forward to the successful implementation of the programme and the development of more collaborative initiatives in the future.