QIU has taken a significant step towards strengthening Malaysia’s special needs education (SNE) landscape by bringing together experts, educators, healthcare professionals, parents, and advocacy groups at its inaugural “Horizons of Hope: From Awareness to Advocacy – Together” symposium here yesterday.
The university’s pioneer SNE symposium, closed by Deputy Minister of Education YB Wong Kah Woh, served as a multidisciplinary platform that equipped families with practical knowledge and direct access to specialists, while encouraging greater collaboration among stakeholders working to support children with special educational needs.
The event, organised by the Faculty of Social Sciences, aligned with the longstanding commitment of the QI Group towards inclusive education under the leadership of Dato’ Sri Dr Vijay Eswaran and Datin Sri Umayal Eswaran, whose support for initiatives such as Taarana School has transformed the lives of many children with special educational needs.
It also complemented QIU’s Master’s in Special Needs Education and Bachelor’s in Special Needs Education (Honours), which are preparing the next generation of educators and professionals to meet Malaysia’s growing need for qualified special education practitioners.
The symposium featured keynote addresses, expert panel discussions, specialist consultations, parent workshops, educational showcases, and exhibitions highlighting assistive technologies and intervention strategies.
Throughout the day, participants attended specialist consultations, parent workshops, panel discussions, and educational exhibitions designed to provide practical guidance while fostering collaboration among educators, healthcare professionals, welfare agencies, and community organisations.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, Deputy Minister of Education YB Wong Kah Woh emphasised that creating an inclusive society begins with awareness, but meaningful change is only possible when awareness is translated into advocacy and collective action.
He commended QIU for organising a symposium that empowers families, educators, and communities by creating opportunities to learn from experts across multiple disciplines.
“Events like this strengthen the support ecosystem for children with special educational needs by
bringing together knowledge, innovation, and collaboration. They remind us that inclusive education is a shared responsibility that requires the commitment of government, educational institutions, professionals, families, and the wider community,” he said.
QIU Vice-Chancellor Professor Zita Mohd Fahmi said universities have a responsibility to create
impact beyond the classroom by addressing real societal challenges.
“The symposium reflects QIU’s commitment to serving the community by creating a platform where educators, psychologists, therapists, counsellors, interventionists, policymakers, researchers, and advocacy organisations could exchange ideas and work together to improve outcomes for children with special educational needs,” she said.
The university’s academic programmes aim to equip graduates with the specialised knowledge, practical skills, and compassion required to support learners with diverse educational needs while strengthening Malaysia’s inclusive education workforce.
Meanwhile, QIU Chief Operating Officer Mr Nicholas Goh said the event was inspired by conversations with families who often struggle to navigate the complex network of support services available for children with special educational needs.
“Many parents simply don’t know where to begin. By bringing experts from different fields together in one place, we hope families leave knowing they are not alone. There is a community that cares and is ready to support them,” he said.
Mr Goh added that the university hopes to expand the symposium beyond Perak and bring similar initiatives to other states with the continued support of the Ministry of Education and strategic partners.
By convening experts and families under one roof, Horizons of Hope underscored the importance of collective action in building a more inclusive Malaysia—one where every child, regardless of ability, has access to the support, opportunities, and quality education they deserve.
