Expert Sharing Session with Mr. Vejayretnam Sabaretnam from Hilton Baltimore, USA

As part of the teaching and learning activity, the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events (SHTE) organized a virtual expert sharing session entitled ‘Hospitality Overview - Operations”. Around 150 students from various programmes such as Bachelor of International Hospitality Management (Hons.), Bachelor of International Tourism Management (Hons.), Bachelor of International Tourism Management (Hons.) (Events Management), Bachelor of Culinary Management (Hons.) and Bachelor of Patisserie Arts (Hons.) joined this 1-hour session.

Mr. Vejayretnam Sabaretnam, Area Director of Purchasing, Hilton Supply Management Hilton Baltimore, Maryland, United States was invited as a guest speaker to share his knowledge and experience in his journey with the hospitality industry. This session covered the front office and back office in hotels and highlighted the importance of responsibilities and attitude in the hotel industry. The students had an interactive session with Mr. Vejayretnam as he enthusiastically answered all their queries.

Op-ed Publication in Malaysiakini by Dr. Benjamin Loh on Cyberbullying in Malaysia

Dr. Benjamin Loh, Senior Lecturer, School of Media and Communication co-wrote with a fellow Malaysian academic, an op-ed in May 2021 regarding rampant cyberbullying in Malaysia. The recent controversy with Ain Husniza surrounding a casual rape joke by her teacher caught the nation’s attention and raised issues regarding the blasé way in which rape is discussed in the country. This issue highlighted the pervasiveness of rape culture in the country that drew many detractors to cyberbully Ain relentlessly on any online platform she was on.

Engaging in cyberbullying over a child just speaking her mind, raises the questions as to why Malaysians seem to condone or been unaware of why they feel they have a right to cyberbully. This op-ed interrogates the problematic nature in which Malaysian men feel they have a right to cyberbully as long as they perceive themselves to be “right.”

The article can be accessed here: https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/574190

A Webinar Series with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) and SLAS Centre for Languages

The Centre for Languages, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, held a webinar in collaboration with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) on Friday, 4 June 2021. This was the first webinar to be organised since both Taylors and DBP signed an MOU.

The webinar entitled “Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Bahasa Melayu Dalam Talian: Cabaran dan Halangan” featured esteemed panelists from both DBP and Taylor’s University: Puan Fauzilahyatun Mustafa, Lead Editor, Bahagian Buku Sekolah, DBP; Puan Zaidah Ahmad Rosly, Language Strategist, DBP; and Dr. Sharala Subramaniam, Lecturer, SLAS, Taylor’s University. The opening message was delivered by Ms. Prema Ponnudurai, Head of Department, Department of Liberal Arts and Humanities, SLAS, while the webinar was moderated by Mr. Abdul Razak Mohd Kassim, Lecturer, SLAS.

The panelists shared their experiences and perspectives on the challenges and obstacles faced by both the teachers and students in teaching and learning Bahasa Melayu using online platforms. They also highlighted the benefits of online teaching and learning, as well as the availability of many online resources. Some salient points that the panelists drew attention to were the importance of creating an enjoyable learning experience for students, the need for teachers to be proactive, and the benefits of establishing two-way interaction between teachers and students.

This webinar was attended by 115 active participants from various schools and academic institutions who found the webinar interesting, useful and relevant to their current situation of teaching Bahasa Melayu online.