UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State will host more than 600 Malaysian students for the first ever East Coast Festival on March 6 to 8. The festival will bring Malaysian students studying in America and Canada as well as a delegation from the Embassy of Malaysia to University Park for a weekend of sports, debate and a Battle of the Bands.

“We consider Penn State to be a giant family, and this is a global family,” said Michael Adewumi, vice provost for Global Programs. “The office of Student Affairs and Intercollegiate Athletics, along with our own newly formed Global Student Engagement Team, have worked with the Malaysian Student Association to make the festival a reality.”

In addition to the students, the event is attracting a delegation including the Ambassador of Malaysia to the United States, Awang Adek Hussin, who will be accompanied by representatives from the embassy as well as Khairy Jamaluddin, Malaysian minister of youth and sports, during his week-long visit to the United States.

Jamaluddin was appointed as the federal minister for youth and sports in 2013. He will be officiating the event at Penn State over the weekend and is particularly keen to play soccer with the students.

For a full schedule of events and sponsors, visit http://eastcoastfestival.com/about-ecfest2015/.

Sponsors of the event include Education Malaysia, Kementerian Belia Dan Sukan, #FitMalaysia, Majlis Amanah Rakyat and Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam.

The weekend is a collective effort by Penn State’s Malaysian Student Association, Drexel University, the Malaysian Students’ Debate Club and the U.S. East Coast Presidential Council with backing and support of Education Malaysia of Washington, D.C.