SEPANG, Feb 10 — Malaysia has marked another milestone in its journey as a global education hub with the launch of the International Student Arrival Centre (ISAC) at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 today.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir said the establishment of ISAC reflects the country’s commitment to ensuring that international students feel welcome, valued, and safe from the moment they arrive in Malaysia.
It represents the very best of Malaysia by combining efficient services, clear guidance, cultural sensitivity and human warmth under one roof.
“From the moment the students arrive in our country, we want them to feel something unmistakable. They are welcome. They are valued. And they are safe. It is very safe here in Malaysia indeed,” he said when officiating the launch today.
Zambry added that Malaysia currently hosts more than 150,000 international students from over 160 countries, making it a regional leader in international education.
“Students choose Malaysia not by accident. But with confidence.
“Trust, once earned, must be honoured. And trust, once given, must be protected. This arrival centre is part of how we honour that trust,” he said, noting that the growing presence of international students reflects global trust in the country’s education system.
Meanwhile, Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) Chairman Datuk Ahmad Shalimin Ahmad Shaffie said ISAC is the first centre of its kind in the world, established to welcome international students directly upon arrival at an international airport.
“It is special because it is the first of its kind in the world. A centre to welcome international students right at the airport with open arms,” he said.
ISAC plays a critical role in ensuring a smooth and positive arrival experience, particularly during peak intake periods.
Shalimin said that over 80 per cent of incoming international students have engaged with ISAC since its establishment, with over 10,000 students recorded during the peak intake month of September last year alone.
“Beyond processes and facilities, ISAC represent Malaysian spirit of hospitality. It is about making the students feel welcome, supported, and truly at home from the moment they step into Malaysia,” he said.
ISAC was established through collaboration between the Higher Education Ministry, EMGS, the Immigration Department, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, and higher learning institutions.
Services are also available at KLIA Terminal 2 as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the international student experience and strengthen Malaysia’s position as a preferred global education destination.
Among those who welcomed the initiative was Cassandra Marquez, a student from Mozambique, who described ISAC as setting a global benchmark in student hospitality.
Marquez, who has been studying in Malaysia for three years, said the guidance provided by EMGS officers helped ensure a smooth arrival process.
“Above all, it invites students who come not only for the education, but also shows the hospitality of the country itself to cater for students to an extent of welcoming them before they go through the immigration doors,” said the Universiti Kuala Lumpur International Business student.
