Ep3: A Diary of Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) by PhD Scholar - Denise Duar

Here’s another entry from the “Diary of an ECCE Scholar”. In this entry, Denise Duar, Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) PhD Scholar from the School of Education, Taylor’s University shared a glimpse of what it looks like in her classroom, as she teaches the Diploma in Early Childhood Education programme. Denise took the opportunity to introduce some of her students from this undergraduate programme. These students who are currently in their first-year shared why they have chosen the Early Childhood Education discipline for themselves as well as their short and long-term goals.

One of the student by the name of Ariana shared that she has always been interested in how a child’s mind changes as they grow and that she hopes to be able to support children during these important years so that they will be able to thrive and accept themselves as unique individuals. Many of the students in the video also shared their plans to further their studies in Bachelor Degree in Education upon completing the Diploma and eventually starting up their own school for young children.

Watch the full entry/video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UGWoGjjk5g

Rethinking Resilience and Sustainable Tourism Session Jointly organized Taylor’s & PSU

Through the support from being part of the ASEAN Tourism Research Association (ATRA), the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events (SHTE), Taylor’s University was invited by Prince of Songkla University (PSU) to jointly organize a research session on “Rethinking Resilience and Sustainable Tourism”. This joint event featured keynote speakers and a panel discussion with representatives from both institutions.

The webinar aimed to share the expert knowledge and foster closer relationship in the development of future research in the areas of hospitality, tourism, and events. During the 3-hour hybrid session, around 40 Researchers from PSU attended physically in Phuket, while 84 other Academics, Researchers and Postgraduates attended the webinar virtually. Attendees of the event had the opportunity to listen to keynote addresses by Professor Dr. Bruce Prideaux, Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism, Prince of Songkla University and Associate Professor Dr. Seyyed Mostafa Rasoolimanesh, Head of Research and Director of Centre for Research and Innovation in Tourism (CRiT), Faculty of Social Sciences & Leisure Management, Taylor’s University.

Some of the points highlighted by both Keynote Speakers included the factors that can impact resilience and sustainability and the concept of sustainability. Another interesting part of the event was the panel discussion with the theme on “Resilience, Revival & Sustainability” that was moderated by YBhg. Datuk Seri Professor Dr. Victor Wee, School of Hospitality, Tourism & Events, Taylor's University and Secretary General, ASEAN Tourism Research Association (ATRA).

The panel speakers for the discussion consisted of Assistant Professor Dr. Chayanon Phucharoen and Assistant Professor Dr. Kullada Phetvaroon from Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism, Prince of Songkla University; and, Associate Professor Dr. Kandappan Balasubramanian and Dr. Ruth Sabina from School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events, Taylor’s University.

Based on this webinar, many ideas were shared such as building long-term tourism resilience, baseline research into current ecosystem, health, green hospitality, role of technology for sustainability, case study of Phuket’s sandbox, responsible tourism, innovations in hospitality, tourism and events, research opportunities, revenge tourism and co-living spaces. These ideas provide opportunities of projects for collaboration between both universities.

Special thanks to the organizing team from Taylor’s University and Prince of Songkla University in organizing this joint research webinar.

TiffinLabs F&B Virtual Restaurant Brand Case Study Online Pitching and Competition

Six (6) groups of students from the Diploma in Hotel Management, Taylor's Culinary Institute (TCI) pitched their ideas to the TiffinLabs team about the case study they have been working on. This virtual pitching session was in line with enhancing TiffinLabs' assigned virtual restaurant brands. The pitching covered areas from brand story to logo improvement ideas, from analyzing market research to sales data, from menu and costing enhancement to marketing and promotions campaigns ideas.

TiffinLabs is a global digital restaurant group founded in 2019 by industry veterans with leadership experience at the world’s leading restaurants, hospitality, food delivery and technology companies. With more exciting brand concepts planned, TiffinLabs aims to activate 500 storefronts by 2022. They create and scale delivery optimized virtual restaurant brands crafted by their in-house leading culinary team and proprietary food trend experts.

The pitching presentation was successfully carried out by the six (6) teams. Questions and feedback was favourable as the industry partner TiffinLabs observed students’ potentials and keen interest in furthering such collaborations. It was a grueling but beneficial learning process for the students to learn applying theory to real-life practices which was invaluable.

A week later, the long-awaited results were announced during the prize giving ceremony that was held at Taylor's University Lakeside Campus. The winning teams consisted of ChiKimchi, Foodie Friends, and Allama shared their success with all. Each winning team walked away with a cash prize of RM500 and the best ideas or concepts will be adopted into TiffinLabs' current business for improvement.

Congratulations to the winners!