Cultural Events
2027 EMBA Cambridge Judge Business School
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | March 14th - March 20th, 2027
DINNERS WITH GUEST SPEAKERS:
Welcome dinner with guest speaker Wong Hooi Ching, CEO of J.P Morgan Malaysia
Open House on Sunday, March 14th
Begin your journey in Kuala Lumpur with a warm welcome dinner at a Malaysian heritage restaurant, where you’ll be introduced to the rich flavours and traditions of authentic Malay cuisine. The evening will feature a special address by Wong Hooi Ching, CEO of J.P. Morgan Malaysia, who will provide a macroeconomic overview of Malaysia and share insights into the country’s evolving role in the global economy and its position as a gateway to ASEAN. Drawing on her extensive experience in global finance and investment, she will explore Malaysia’s economic landscape, business environment and the key cultural and institutional factors that shape how business is conducted in the country, as well as the opportunities and challenges facing multinational companies operating in Malaysia. It will also offer an opportunity to connect with fellow students and professors, engage in meaningful conversations and set the stage for an inspiring and immersive programme in Malaysia’s vibrant capital.
Speaker bio
One of Malaysia’s most endearing and unique experiences is the “open house” tradition, a celebration of welcoming family, friends and even strangers to their homes during the festive season to partake in food and drinks. Special dishes are prepared, the house is dressed up for the occasion and they extend their warm hospitality in welcoming guests through their doorsteps. It is this unique experience that the restaurant aims to bring, daily, to OpenHouse Malaysia.
Venue information
5–10 minutes by group bus transfer from EQ Kuala Lumpur.
5–10 minutes by group bus transfer from Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur.
Given the short distance and group format, group bus transfer is recommended rather than public transportation.
Hotel-venue distance
Networking dinner/speaker panel
WIP On The Park on Monday, March 15th
Join us for an insightful evening exploring the opportunities and challenges of doing business in Malaysia, hosted on the privately rented Mezzanine Floor at WIP On The Park, offering an exclusive and stylish setting for discussion, networking and dinner.
Speaker: Bo Lingam - AirAsia Group CEO
Bo Lingam has played a key role in shaping AirAsia Aviation Group’s strategic direction and regional expansion since joining the airline in 2001. Having held numerous senior operational and leadership roles, he now serves as Group CEO, overseeing the airline’s continued growth across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Cambodia. His leadership focuses on operational excellence, process optimisation and customer experience, while driving AirAsia’s evolution and expansion across the region.
Speaker: Ajay Sharma - British High Commissioner to Malaysia
Ajay Sharma is the British High Commissioner to Malaysia, appointed in April 2025, and a distinguished diplomat with more than 30 years of international experience. His career includes senior postings as British Ambassador to Qatar, Chargé d’Affaires in Iran and Turkey, Deputy Ambassador to France and diplomatic service in Moscow. He has also held senior roles in the UK Cabinet Office and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and has played a key role in major international negotiations.
Speaker: Sharmeen Looi - Co-Founder & CMO of iMotorbike
Sharmeen Looi is a Malaysian tech entrepreneur and the co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of iMotorbike, a leading Southeast Asian platform for buying and selling pre-owned motorcycles. With more than 13 years of marketing experience spanning media, education, e-commerce and technology, she previously co-founded ShopBack Malaysia and helped scale the cashback platform during its early growth years.
Set within a lush urban tropical garden in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, WIP On The Park offers a relaxed and contemporary setting for group dining and networking. Its diverse menu brings together Malaysian, Asian and international flavours, while its open-air spaces and private event facilities provide an inviting backdrop for an informal evening with fellow participants and local guests.
Venue information
5–10 minutes by group bus transfer from EQ Kuala Lumpur.
Around 5 minutes by group bus transfer from Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur. It is also only around a 5-minute walk, as the hotel and restaurant are both on Jalan Pinang.
Hotel-venue distance
Dinner with guest speaker Anuradha Katyal - Group Chief People Officer, Axiata
Tamarind Springs on Wednesday, March 17th
The evening will feature a special address by the Group Chief People Officer of a leading Malaysian-headquartered telecommunications and technology group, with operations spanning Southeast and South Asia. Drawing on extensive experience leading people and organisations across diverse Asian markets, the speaker will share practical insights into navigating cultural distance in international business. The discussion will explore how differences in management styles, communication, hierarchy, trust and relationship building shape the way organisations operate across cultures, as well as the challenges of balancing a shared corporate culture with local expectations. The conversation will draw on real-world experiences of managing multicultural teams and working across different markets, offering you a practical perspective on what it takes to lead, communicate and build strong relationships effectively across cultures.
Speaker bio
Set in one of Malaysia’s most atmospheric and romantic dining venues, the restaurant offers a distinctive setting for a private dinner with our guest speaker. Our group will have exclusive use of the restaurant’s left wing for the evening, providing a private and relaxed environment for meaningful conversation and engagement with the speaker over dinner. The experience will be complemented by Chef Somkhuan Wandee’s distinctive Mekong-inspired cuisine, drawing on her Northern Thai heritage and culinary influences from Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.
Venue information
Tamarind Springs is outside the immediate city centre in Taman Tun Abdul Razak.
Approximately 15–25 minutes by private group coach from both proposed hotels.
CULTURAL EVENTS:
Malaysian dinner with traditional dance show
Bijan Restaurant: Experience Malaysia’s unity in diversity through a vibrant performance - Friday, March 19th
Immerse yourself in a unique Malaysian multicultural dance performance that brings together the rich traditions of the country’s diverse communities. The performance combines Malay, Chinese, Indian and Indigenous Malaysian dance elements, with colourful traditional costumes, lively music and distinctive movements. Together, the dancers create a vibrant performance that celebrates Malaysia’s unity in diversity, cultural harmony and shared national identity.
OPTIONAL CULTURAL EVENTS:
Kuala Lumpur city tour
Discover the history, culture and flavours of Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, March 14th
Discover the many sides of Kuala Lumpur on a guided half-day journey through the city’s history, culture and modern identity. Visit Merdeka Square, the National Mosque and National Monument, before exploring the colourful streets and communities of Chinatown and Little India.
The experience continues to the Petronas Twin Towers and Golden Triangle, showcasing Kuala Lumpur’s transformation into a modern global city. A group lunch at Central Market offers the chance to sample Malaysia’s diverse cuisine in one of the capital’s most historic marketplaces.
Kuala Lumpur foodie night
Street food, hidden alleyways and local stories on Tuesday, March 16th
Discover Kuala Lumpur through its food on an evening exploring the city’s street-food culture, bustling markets and hidden alleyways. Sample Malaysian dishes the way locals do while discovering the traditions and stories behind the country’s famously diverse cuisine.
More than simply a food tour, the evening offers an informal way to experience local neighborhoods and Kuala Lumpur after dark, combining authentic flavors, cultural insight and the energy of the city at night.
Batu Caves cultural experience
Sacred traditions and heritage on Saturday, March 20th
Journey just outside Kuala Lumpur to Batu Caves, one of Malaysia’s most treasured cultural and spiritual landmarks. Set within dramatic limestone caves, the complex is instantly recognisable for the magnificent golden statue of Lord Murugan standing at its entrance.
A local guide will introduce the group to the site’s history and the significance of Hindu traditions within Malaysia’s multicultural heritage, providing time to explore the colourful temples, striking natural surroundings and vibrant atmosphere of this extraordinary landmark.
