Taylor's SHTE Expands Its Strategic Partnership for The Most Sought-after STEP with UOA Hospitality

Recently, Taylor’s School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events entered into a Strategic Partnership with UOA Hospitality for the most sought-after Student Employment Programme (STEP), a homegrown Fast Track Career Development Programme for Hospitality Students.

UOA Hospitality was established in 2011, it is the hospitality arm of UOA Group, one of Malaysia’s leading property developers. With 5 distinctive hospitality brands such as hotels, serviced residences, co-living, co-working and convention centres, UOA Hospitality promises a wide range of opportunities through the STEP for our Bachelor of International Hospitality Management Programme students.

Prof. Dr. Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan, Executive Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management, Taylor’s University and Mr. Aqmal Fikri Bin Mohd Amir, Manager of Learning Design & Delivery, UOA Hospitality did the symbolic signing, witnessed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Joaquim Dias Soeiro, Head of School, School of Hospitality, Tourism & Events and Ms. Mok Sau Wai, Director of Human Resources, UOA Hospitality.

During the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing ceremony, Professor Dr. Neethiahnanthan highlighted the school’s focus on industry engagements and assured the students a promising career development through STEP. On the other hand, Ms. Mok Sau Wai shared her excitement about the Strategic Partnership and welcomed the students onboard.

Exclusive Networking Session to Meet & Mingle with SHTE Adjuncts & Industry Advisory Panels

Taylor's School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events (SHTE) hosted an exclusive networking session for Adjunct and Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) of the school. This networking session provided an opportunity for academics and Bachelor of International Tourism Management (Events Management) students to meet and mingle with the industry leaders.

We had YB Dato’ Sri Dr. Irmohizam from World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur; Mohammad Isa from Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB); Ms. Waikin Wong from International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA); Mr. Lee Mark from Hot Shoe Show & Co. Sdn Bhd; Mr. Jaggarao Simacha from ASC Agenda Suria Communication; Mr. Jonathan Low from Global Success Learning Academy; Mr. Huza Radzi from Huza Radzi Consultancy; and, Mr. Anthony Wong from Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel, attended the networking session.

The networking session benefited not only the school by strengthening its relationship with the Adjuncts and IAPs, but it also provided students with valuable experience in making new and long-term connections with the industry.

The students gave positive feedback after the networking session that they were able to communicate with industry key players and learn about the world outside of their usual classroom activities. Apart from that, the session helped students to develop self-confidence in communicating with industry players, which will be useful throughout their careers.

What is Arts Education & Why is It Super Important to The World? - by Prema Ponnudurai

Arts Education, while broad in its meaning and application, is essentially a tool that helps inspire people to understand, reflect and creatively solve global problems. The Head of School of Media and Communication (SOMAC), Ms. Prema Ponnudurai views art as covering a wide spectrum of areas from drawing, dancing and acting to visual arts such as film and digital art forms.

“Education is the sharing and creation of new knowledge in a specific field of study, so arts education to me is the marrying of both whereby teaching and learning of the existing knowledge regarding the arts discipline through research and exploration, new knowledge is created surrounding arts leading to enhancements and innovations in this discipline area.”

Prema sees arts education as vital not only now but in the future too. The proof, she says, lies in the pudding.

“The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in the past years has also focused on arts education recognising it as a central component of holistic and comprehensive education. Additionally, if you look at any of the future job skills required for employability by the World Economic Forum, the top four skills required are attributes of arts education such as imagination, creativity, innovation, flexibility, ideation, etc.”

Due to this, Prema says it’s evident that arts education is equally important for the balance of a nation, socio-economically.

“Universities are also aligned to ensuring the future of arts education with the emergence of the Creative Industry area of study to equip students with a balance between Humanities and Arts to develop a range of skills and knowledge ranging from communication, cinema, music, design, media to marketing.”

Article link: https://www.eksentrika.com/what-is-arts-education-why-is-it-important/