One of the missions of NCIA which falls under NCER is to upgrade the human capital development which is the key ingredient in the overall socio-economic development of our nation.

And Tourism happens to be one of the core economic sectors which is important in accelerating the growth of Malaysia in general and Penang in particular as it has been awarded the UNESCO HERITAGE CITY status.

Hence, NCIA in collaboration with MATTA Penang Chapter and Sentral Technology College Penang has sponsored local travel agents to attend the Tourist Guide course and IATA/UFTAA Foundation Diploma course which were carried out under the NCIA’s “Stimulus Package”. Through this Certificate and Foundation Diploma course, local travel agents’ skills and knowledge was enhanced to meet the ever increasing demand in this sector.

The first batches of students for these 2 courses sponsored by NCIA have made SENTRAL proud with their achievement in the recent examinations. SENTRAL has the highest number of passes for the Tourist Guide December 2009 examination here in Penang. As for the IATA/UFTAA Foundation Diploma March 2010 exam, almost half the number of students from the class scored distinctions.

Congratulations to all of them!


Puan Cheah Swee Phaik from the Ministry of Tourism, Penang Licensing department giving her talk on how to apply for the Tourist Guide license.

The graduation class holding their Tourist Guide certificate from Ministry of Tourism

Seated from the left are Ms Yoong (PTGA Immediate Past-President), Ms Evelyn Toh (MATTA-Administrator), Puan Cheah(MOTOUR –Licensing), Cik Azizah (Exec-NCIA), Dr Chiang (SENTRAL-Principal/CEO) and Ms Joanna Phang (SENTRAL- Head, School of Tourism).

Pn Shahariza (Snr. Exec. from NCIA) delivering her speech.

Tan Choon Kok (IATA double distintion graduate) delivering his speech.


Standing from the left Ms Evelyn Toh (MATTA-Administrator), Dr. Chiang (Principal/CEO), Ms Goh Giak Wooi (IATA Graduate) & Pn. Shahariza (NCIA-Snr. Exec.)

Jubilant IATA graduates
Seated from left Ms Pauline Sin (SENTRAL/Trainer), Ms Evelyn Toh (MATTA-Administrator), Pn Shahariza (NCIA-Snr Exec.), Dr Chiang (SENTRAL CEO/Principal) & Ms Joanna Phang (SENTRAL School of Tourism Head).