2025 LEAM International Higher Education Expo and Malaysia Counselling Conference Successfully Concludes, Strengthening International Education and Professional Counselling Platforms

The 2025 LEAM International Higher Education Expo and The First Malaysia Education Counsellors' Conference successfully concluded on 21-23 February at Confucian Private Secondary School, Kuala Lumpur. The expo attracted representatives from renowned universities across Malaysia, China, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other regions, alongside over a hundred school counsellors, educators, and parents from various educational backgrounds.

Organised by Life Education Academy Malaysia (LEAM) with strong support from universities, education institutions, and relevant organisations, the event served as a comprehensive platform that integrated higher education information, academic exchange, and professional counselling to provide students and counsellors with broader learning and networking opportunities.

A Global Hub for Higher Education Opportunities

As a leading regional education exhibition, the 2025 LEAM International Higher Education Expo brought together institutions and representatives from Malaysia, China, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, the UK, Australia, and other countries, offering insights into admission policies, scholarship opportunities, on-site interviews, and direct connections with prestigious universities. The expo provided students and parents with first-hand information and direct interactions with university representatives.

During the event, several overseas universities announced exclusive scholarship schemes for Malaysian students, with some institutions offering on-the-spot admission opportunities for eligible candidates.

LEAM President Bock Chek Lim highlighted that the expo not only provided valuable higher education information for local students but also fostered international academic collaborations, creating more opportunities for students to pursue quality education abroad and excel in an increasingly competitive global landscape.

Exploring Education in the AI Era at the Counselling Conference

The First Malaysia Education Counsellors' Conference, introduced as a new segment of the expo, was themed "Empowering Counselling, Leading the Future" and focused on international higher education trends, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on education, and the professionalisation of student counselling.

In his welcoming speech at the opening ceremony on 22 February, LEAM President Bock Chek Lim noted that school counsellors often play dual roles in psychological support and higher education counselling. However, systematic development in career counselling within the Malaysian Chinese education community remains insufficient. He emphasised that the conference aimed to bridge this gap by promoting a more structured and professional approach to student counselling.

During the official opening of the conference, Kuala Lumpur Education Department’s Inspector Lai Kok Jiun remarked, "Education is the key to the future, and higher education is the bridge to realising dreams." He stressed the crucial role of school counsellors in guiding students' academic pathways and urged schools to leverage education fairs and systematic counselling strategies to provide accurate and professional career guidance.

Enhancing Counselling Professionalism and Fostering Cross-Disciplinary Academic Exchange

In his keynote address, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) President Ir. Prof. Dato' Dr. Ewe Hong Tat shared insights from his own academic journey, highlighting the essential role of counsellors in shaping students’ career paths. He remarked, "AI is transforming teaching methodologies, but the core of education remains in nurturing individuals with critical thinking and value-driven decision-making skills." He urged educators to balance technological advancements with holistic student development.

During a panel discussion, Associate Professor Joseph Seet from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University introduced the Entrepreneur College, encouraging universities to integrate innovation and entrepreneurship into their curriculum through industry partnerships and interdisciplinary courses. This approach aims to enhance students' practical skills and prepare them for the evolving job market. Meanwhile, Associate Professor Dr. Yang Hongwei from Tianjin University advocated for a "long-term perspective" in choosing academic disciplines, advising students to pursue their interests instead of blindly following popular study trends to strengthen their future employability.

As Australia remains a popular study destination for Malaysian students, Ms Srii Gunaseelan, Education Manager at the AUSTRADE of Australian High Commission in Malaysia, revealed that approximately 19,000 Malaysian students are currently pursuing higher education in Australia, with application numbers continuing to rise. She highlighted that Australia's appeal extends beyond its world-class education system and multicultural campus environment, as recent government initiatives have expanded employment support for international students, increasing their chances of securing jobs after graduation.

She further noted that Australian universities are enhancing collaboration with industries to promote a "university-industry research integration" model, providing students with hands-on work experience during their studies to improve their competitiveness in the job market. This information proved particularly valuable to the attending school counsellors, equipping them with insights to better advise students interested in studying in Australia.

Technology-Driven Counselling: Navigating the Future with AI

A key highlight of the conference was the "University Face-to-Face Connecting" session, which provided a unique interactive platform for school counsellors to engage directly with top university representatives and education institutions. This session moved beyond traditional one-way presentations, emphasising real-time discussions where attendees could ask questions and receive the latest authoritative information on international education and admission requirements. In addition, the event featured a special talk on "AI Applications in Career Counselling" and a hands-on workshop on the NAVIGATOR career guidance system, equipping counsellors with advanced tools to support students in making informed higher education decisions. In his presentation, Assistant Professor Ts. Dr. Chng Chern Wei demonstrated how AI can streamline repetitive counselling tasks, improving efficiency and effectiveness.

In another session titled "Making the Right Choice – NAVIGATOR as Your Guide," FSI Education Magazine Chief Editor Mr Ooi Thean Su engaged with counsellors on career planning strategies and demonstrated how the NAVIGATOR system integrates university data, academic trends, and career prospects to help students and parents make well-informed choices.

LEAM’s Commitment to Advancing International Education and Professional Counselling

The success of the 2025 LEAM International Higher Education Expo and The First Malaysia Education Counsellors' Conference provided students with the latest and most authoritative information on global higher education while fostering academic partnerships between Malaysian and international universities. The event also significantly contributed to the professionalisation and innovation of career counselling services in Malaysia.

With the rapid advancement of AI and big data, student counselling is evolving towards a more data-driven, precise, and intelligent model. The integration of technology in education counselling is becoming an essential focus for educators worldwide.

Looking ahead, LEAM remains committed to building a global education platform, strengthening partnerships with universities worldwide, and integrating high-quality academic resources. Through these initiatives, LEAM aims to empower Malaysian counsellors with the necessary tools and knowledge to guide students towards achieving their full potential on the international stage.