From Planning to Execution: Event Management Students Lead the Power Women Summit 2025
Thirty-one students enrolled in the Events Operation module (September 2025 semester) gained hands-on, practice-based experience through their involvement in the Power Women Summit 2025, held on 26 November 2025 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur. Supervised by module leader Ms. Dhiya Hikmahana Abdul Razak, the initiative was designed to immerse students in the realities of professional event management, spanning the full event lifecycle from planning to live execution.
The learning journey began with structured classroom sessions with the client, led by Ms. Jennifer Ong who is Coach, Trainer, Speaker and Entrepreneur, during which students explored the summit’s objectives, operational scope, and professional expectations. These sessions encouraged students to move beyond theoretical frameworks and critically examine the practical demands of delivering a high-profile event, including stakeholder coordination, operational standards, and decision-making under professional constraints.
Students’ understanding was further reinforced through a site inspection at MITEC on 11 November 2025. During the visit, they assessed the venue, analysed spatial layouts, evaluated crowd flow, and reviewed technical and logistical requirements. The experience enabled students to translate conceptual knowledge into practical awareness, highlighting the importance of precision, foresight, and situational responsiveness in managing large-scale events.
On the day of the summit, students applied their preparation in a live operational environment, assuming key roles including registration, crowd management, speaker liaison, food and beverage coordination, and brand activation support. Working in a fast-paced, high-pressure setting required adaptability, teamwork, and professional communication, while responding effectively to real-time operational challenges. The experience provided students with valuable insight into industry expectations and the responsibilities involved in executing a major event. More importantly, it fostered professional confidence, operational competence, and reflective awareness, skills that extend beyond classroom learning.
This initiative exemplifies the value of industry-engaged education in bridging theory and practice, preparing students to transition from academic learners to emerging event professionals equipped with both practical expertise and a reflective understanding of professional practice.