USM, PENANG, 29 November 2025 - Today, as Akiko Nagata prepares to graduate at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Sixty Third Convocation Ceremony, her journey stands as a testament to lifelong learning and international professionalism.

She often remarks that Malaysia is her second home, and this was proven when she returned in 2024 to pursue her Master of Integrated Marketing Communication at USM at Kuala Lumpur.

With over two decades of experience in destination marketing and media relations, Akiko has built a distinguished career across Japan and Southeast Asia and began her professional journey at the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines where she supported government delegations and managed key administrative and diplomatic responsibilities.

She later served at the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board in the Tokyo Office where she coordinated Japanese media visits to Malaysia, organised business to business travel seminars and managed the official Malaysian tourism website in the Japanese language.

Beyond her formal appointments, Akiko broadened her expertise as a freelance destination marketing specialist by producing travel content, conducting research on the ASEAN travel market and contributing to various international cooperation projects.

She chose USM at Kuala Lumpur and the Integrated Marketing Communication programme because it aligns well with her communication centred career and enables her to strengthen her professional competencies while remaining connected to the region that has shaped much of her work.

Text: Associate Professor Dr. Hasrina Mustafa, Deputy Dean USM@KL> / Photo: Click Crew @ MPRC