UK universities are invited to participate in the British Council’s Arts Mission from 5 to 8 November 2019. The mission is designed to support UK universities looking to explore market opportunities in the arts sector. Participating UK universities will be speaking in Placemaking Week Asean Conference and meet Malaysian creative hubs as well as local authorities. 

Benefits to UK institutions

• Build and develop relationships with over 400 attendees from 40 countries -- influential high-level local & federal Governments from Asean, industry players, practitioners, researchers, influencers, media, university students and other Malaysian & Asean participants.
• Forge partnerships with industry and Government bodies, during and after the event.
• Build awareness and maximize exposure of your organization, expertise and sector credentials to all participants.
• Gain media momentum in Malaysia through press coverage with PR value up to RM3.9 million.
• Observe and discuss the latest data, market trends and research findings on placemaking.
• Present your organisation on an Asean level from one location

Your involvements in the Placemaking Week Asean Conference
Placemaking Week Asean which will take place in Malaysia is a 2-week programme comprising of fringe and main events.  Fringe events happening prior to the main event consist of public exhibition, education workshops, charrettes and place games. The main event will happen in Kuala Lumpur where participants get to learn and share knowledge through plenary sessions and seminars. You will be:

1. Delivering plenary workshop or breakout session. Your institution will be in charge of proposing and delivering the session, which best showcases your institution’s expertise. More information is available in the PDF attached in this webpage. 
2. Networking with participants, which include young students. Your institution will be given 3 passes.

It is an excellent brand building platform involving extensive media coverage and feature of your institution's logo on selected collaterals. UK universities also stand a chance to forge partnerships with relevant stakeholders; it is also an indirect student recruitment activity. 

Other involvements 

1. Stakeholder roundtable discussion with creative hubs in Malaysia. Participating institutions will be meeting 7 -10 local authorities, ecosystem builders and industry players. The key goal is to share best practices among one another. 
2. High-level meetings with local ministries and authorities, such as Think City, UN Habitat and Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment & Climate Change (MESTECC).

Market context

• Placemaking has been getting a lot of attention in Malaysia over the past few years, with establishment of Think City in 2009, aiming to trial, plan, and implement programmes to rejuvenate cities and solve contemporary urban issues. In 2018, World Urban Forum also happened in Malaysia looking into sustainable urbanisation matters. 
• Under the new government, we saw the establishment of Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment & Climate Change (MESTECC) which work on projects related to placemaking such as green technology, low carbon building and urban farming, etc.
• The awareness of placemaking is increasing in Malaysia. Academic subjects related to placemaking are also gaining interest. It is increasingly important to promote such courses during this time.