HANDOVER CEREMONY OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO PARTICIPANTS OF YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMME 2025 (IPOH – FUKUOKA STUDENT EXCHANGE)

IPOH, 19 NOVEMBER 2025 – Ipoh Mayor Zamakhshari Hanipah today officiated the handover of contributions to eight (8) participants of the Youth Exchange Programme 2025 (Ipoh – Fukuoka Student Exchange).

The ceremony at Dewan Azlan Shah, Ipoh City Council (MBI) brought together the selected students and two (2) accompanying officers, who will be departing for Fukuoka as junior ambassadors of Ipoh City. Their participation reflects MBI’s continued efforts in fostering close international relations between Ipoh and Fukuoka.

In his speech, the Mayor congratulated the successfully selected participants and expressed his appreciation to the secretariat for their commitment in ensuring the smooth running of the programme. He also stressed on the importance of the twin city relationship that has existed for over three decades between Ipoh and Fukuoka.

The twin city relationship between the two cities was formalised on 21 March 1989 through an agreement signed by Ipoh’s first Mayor Datuk Umar Abu with the then Fukuoka Mayor Keiichi Kuwahara. This cooperation has since become a catalyst for cultural, educational, economic, trade, science and technology, as well as sports exchanges between the people of Malaysia and Japan.

The Youth Exchange Programme, formerly known as the Sister City Student Exchange, is held alternately each year between Ipoh and Fukuoka. For 2025, Fukuoka will host the programme.

The Mayor of Ipoh also emphasised that such programmes are an important platform in fostering the spirit of unity, openness to global cultures and the formation of identity of the younger generation.

“I am very proud to see the commitment of the students who will represent Ipoh City. May they gain knowledge, experience and understand the culture of Japanese society more deeply,” he said.

He also extended his appreciation to Fukuoka City for its continued cooperation and acceptance of the participants this year. He also prayed for the safe departure and return of all the students and accompanying officers. 

Also present at the ceremony were City Secretary Ahmad Munir Ishak, State Education Department Senior Assistant Director (Student Affairs) Fakrul Nizam Pakhruddin, Politeknik Ungku Omar General Studies Department and Japanese Language Class instructor Anita Hanim Taharim, Quest International University (QIU) Vice Chancellor Professor Zita  Mohd Fahmi, MBI Heads of Departments and Units, principals and school representatives involved, as well as parents of the participants.

The Youth Exchange Programme 2025 is expected to continue to strengthen people-to-people diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Japan, while providing long-term benefits to the education sector and human capital development in Ipoh City.