Penang, one of the thirteen states of Malaysia, is situated on its north-western coast. The Island College of Technology is located on the Island of Penang, which is part of Penang State situated just off the mainland.

Known as the 'Pearl Of The Orient', Penang has been a focus for international trade since the beginning of this century. Its seaport is centred at historic Georgetown on the eastern side of the island. Today Georgetown, the centre of Penang, is a beautiful city and is the hub of the northern area of Malaysia, boasting a thriving tourist industry.

The city is supported by international airport facilities and is easily accessible by land via the Penang bridge, and by sea, with a 24-hour ferry service.

Living in Penang
The island of Penang is cosmopolitan. Its multiracial population of about a million people means that many different languages are spoken, although the medium of instruction at the College is English. Living in Penang is less expensive than in Kuala Lumpur, or other international cities. Due to its ethnic structure it offers a rich selection of cultural experiences, including food from Europe, Indonesia and Japan as well as Malaysia, China, India and Thailand.

Climate
One of Penang's many attractions is its tropical climate, which is quite uniform throughout the year. Its average temperature is 30șC, with warm and humid conditions. There and no distinct hold and cold seasons, but September and November and the wettest months, while January and February are fairly dry.