Academic Infrastructure, Tourism & Cultural Promotion Of Malaysia's Perlis In Sri Lanka

From Adnan Jahaya COLOMBO, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- The academic infrastructure, tourist attractions and culture of Peninsular Malaysia's northernmost state, Perlis were highlighted through the 'Perlis Cuisine Promotion' held at a beachfront hotel on the shores of Mount Livinia, here, on Monday night. The promotion organised by Berjaya Hotel Colombo, owned by a Malaysian investor, was officially opened by the Crown Prince of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail. Collaborating in this effort were University of Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Perlis Office of Tourism Malaysia, Tuanku Syed Putra Foundation and BMC Travel Sdn Bhd. Various sectors were promoted to draw Sri Lankans to further their studies in Perlis or visit the 810 sq km state. The event was attended by various groups including tourism operators in Sri Lanka who showed interest to include Perlis in their travel package to Malaysia. Guests got to savour dishes like nasi lemak, nasi goreng, ayam goreng, kangkung belacan and satay, and entertained with cultural dances like canggung and joget performed by UniMAP's undergraduates. The promotional event was part of the six-day UniMAP Academic Tour to Sri Lanka which has included visits to several well-known universities and industries in Colombo and Kandy. Also in the delegation are UniMAP vice-chancellor Prof Dr Zul Azhar Zahid Jamal, deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan, and dean of the Student Affairs and Alumni Department, Assoc Prof Razli Ahmad. In his speech at the event, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin expressed hope that the cuisine promotion could encourage Sri Lankans to further their studies in Perlis, particularly at UniMAP, of which he is the chancellor. UniMAP which was established in 2001, has some 14,000 students including from about 30 foreign countries, but none from Sri Lanka so far. Tuanku Syed Faizuddin said the state's enchanting natural landscapes, friendly people, multiculural environment and tourist spots near the Malaysia-Thailand border should also attract Sri Lankans to visit Perlis. --BERNAMA