Five APU’s School of Global Hospitality and Tourism (SoGHT) students gained hands-on event management experience by volunteering at the Reka Rona Fashion Showcase 2026 at Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur, successfully applying classroom theory to live VIP ushering, coordination, and industry operations.

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On 2 October 2026, five students from the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation’s (APU) School of Global Hospitality and Tourism (SoGHT) gained invaluable hands-on exposure at the Reka Rona Fashion Showcase 2026. 

Held in conjunction with the Malaysia International Craft Fair 2026 at Kompleks Kraf in Jalan Conlay, Kuala Lumpur, the event was supported by Malaysia Fashion Business Development Association.

Led by SoGHT lecturer Mr Mohamad Imaduddin Zainal Abidin, the student volunteers stepped into the dynamic operations of a live fashion event.

The diverse international cohort comprised Umirzakova Iroda from Uzbekistan, Reiviolita Angela (Indonesia), Anise Ng Zee Yin (Malaysia), Kaungthant Tikyi (Mongolia), and Narumi Okuda (Japan). 

Together, they took on essential operational responsibilities, including event coordination, runway setup, VIP ushering, and team communication.

Throughout the showcase, the students worked alongside industry professionals to manage the fast-paced demands of a major event.

Reiviolita Angela, a Hospitality and Tourism student, shared that the experience allowed them to apply classroom theories in Event Planning and Management directly to a real-world environment. 

Similarly, Umirzakova Iroda highlighted that managing the high-pressure environment provided a thrilling and practical look into runway setups and event flow, while Anise Ng Zee Yin emphasised the value of learning directly from active industry leaders.

By collaborating closely with key figures such as Ms Bkay Nair, Founder of Bkay Nair Resources and President of Malaysia Fashion Business Development Association, the initiative showcased APU-SoGHT’s commitment to experiential learning. 

This immersive participation successfully bridged academic theory with live industry practice, equipping the students with the confidence, adaptability, and operational skills required to thrive as future hospitality and event professionals.