Broadening Academic Collaboration & Visitation by Villa College Maldives Delegates at Taylor's

Taylor’s Faculty of Social Sciences & Leisure Management hosted a delegation from Villa College, Maldives at Taylor's University Lakeside Campus. Taylor’s and Villa College Foundation have been in collaboration for over 20 years, providing Maldivian students an unique scholarship to further their study at Taylor’s University.

Villa College is a tertiary education and training institute established by the Chairman of Villa Group, Hon. Qasim Ibrahim to offer educational opportunities to Maldivians, at an affordable price, in the country. With the aim, Villa College began its historic journey on the 28th of January 2007, with the registration of its first institute, Villa Institute of Water Sports followed by the Villa Institute of Information Technology (VIIT) and Villa Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Studies. As the leading private college in the Maldives, Villa College is dedicated to ensuring high-quality education and the best student experience for its students.

A strategic meeting to discuss further on the academic collaboration between Taylor's University and Villa College Maldives was held at Taylor's Lakeside Campus. The meeting was attended by the delegates from Villa College, Maldives - Dr. Ali Najeeb, Vice Rector; Dr. Abdulla Sadig, Deputy Vice Rector, Academic and Students; Mr. Abdul Munnim Mohamed Manik, Deputy Vice Rector, Administration and Finance; Mr. Abdullah Nafiz, Dean, Faculty of Business Management and Mr. Mohamed Hameed. The attendees from Taylor's University included Prof. Dr. Pradeep Nair, Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Chief Academic Officer; Prof. Dr. Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan, Executive Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management; Mr. Pierre Louis Romain Genier, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Taylor's Digital; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Joaquim Dias Soeiro, Head of School, School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events and Mr. Jules Arthur Romain Barboyon, Head of Trans-National Education.

This meeting and visit created opportunity to explore new horizon to broaden the academic collaboration between both institutions including the offering of Taylor’s programme at Villa College starting 2023. Villa College would be the first institution in Maldives to offer students the opportunity to enroll in selected Taylor’s programmes delivered locally with the support and expertise of Taylor’s University. The collaboration with Villa College is focusing on a list of programmes among others Bachelor of Culinary Management (Hons), Bachelor of International Hospitality Management (Hons), Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons) (Digital Media Production), Master in International Hospitality Management and Master of Communication.

Taylor's Culinary Institute Graduate Chef Kevin Wong Entered the List of Forbes Under 30 Asia 2022

A successful Alumni of Taylor’s Culinary Institute, Chef Kevin Wong who is now the Head Chef of Michelin Star Meta Restaurant in Singapore has been nominated by Forbes in the category of “Under 30 Asian 2022” as few of the must look out for future successful person in Asia. Chef Kevin’s journey began his studies with Diploma in Culinary Arts, followed by Advanced Diploma in Patisserie & Gastronomic Cuisine.

He has been working in many well-known kitchens ranging from 1 star to 3 star such as Le Parc by Frank Putelak, who is a Meilleurs Ouvriers de France which is a title awarded by the President as a few of the best craftsmen in France. He is now leading the team at Meta Restaurant, Singapore supported by another 3 Taylor’s Culinary Institute Graduates, Ashley So Jen Wern, Andrew Ou and Rachel An Li Jing.

Chef Kevin gained international recognition as a Top 3 finalist in S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2019-2020. He captivated palates with his signature dish, "Celebration of a Duck," which honors Malaysian and Singaporean street hawkers' style of roast duck. The meal also takes sustainability and craftsmanship to new levels, as Chef Kevin works with artisans to craft all servingware using elements of the duck or naturally-gathered materials - a collaborative method he intends to continue at his own restaurant opening later this year.

Taylor's Culinary Institute are very proud of Chef Kevin and his team for their dedication in achieving this achievement. We wish Chef Kevin all the best in his future career.

New Appointment - Ms Prema Ponnudurai, Head of School of Media & Communication, Taylor's University

It's is with great pleasure, we would like to announce the appointment of Ms. Prema Ponnudurai as the Head of School of Media and Communication (SOMAC) at the Faculty of Social Sciences & Leisure Management, Taylor's University effective 1st June 2022.

With over 2 decades dedicated to Taylor’s, she has grown from strength to strength academically, scholarly, and administratively as a Lecturer, Stream Coordinator, Programme Director and Head of Department at the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences. She has been an active member of various university level initiatives and is grounded in her disciplinary knowledge and specialization in the fields of Humanities, Social Sciences, Language & Communication, Arts and Liberal Arts.

She was also part of the pioneering team who developed the Taylor’s Communication Programme in partnership with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in 1999 under Taylor’s College, Subang Jaya. Her educational and scholarly experience range from United Kingdom, Australia to the United Sates while contributing to national and international committees such as the United Nation Development Program (UNDP) on Various global issues.

The Faculty is confident that with her leadership & people skills as well as industry knowledge will lead the School of Media and Communication to further achievements.