Strengthening International Ties: Taylor's & Universitas Pancasila Forge a Strategic Partnership

In a significant step toward fostering the international collaboration and academic excellence, Taylor's University and Universitas Pancasila in Indonesia have formalized their commitment through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony on 6th of November 2023.

Pancasila University is one of the top private universities in Indonesia. The name Pancasila at Pancasila University has a deep meaning and is in accordance with the mission of Pancasila University, namely "to provide a positive role in the development of science and technology and the development of a Pancasila society, as envisioned in the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution".

The MOU was signed by Prof. Dr. Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan, Executive Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences & Leisure Management, Taylor’s University and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Devi Roza Krisnandhi Kausar, Dean of Faculty of Tourism, Universitas Pancasila, Indonesia, witnessed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Joaquim Dias Soeiro, Head of School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events, Taylor’s University and Ms. Nungky Puspita, Vice Dean of General Administration, Finance and Human Resources, Universitas Pancasila, Indonesia.

The primary objective of this MOU is to strengthen, promote, and develop collaboration in academia, research, and community engagement, establishing a foundation of equality and mutual benefit. The partnership encompasses a diverse range of activities aimed at enriching the academic experience for students and faculty members of both institutions. The key elements of the collaboration include but not limited to student and staff exchange, internship programme, research grants, publications, joint academic programme, teaching and learning, events, and knowledge transfer.

This MOU signifies a commitment to building a robust academic partnership that transcends borders, providing students and faculty with unparalleled opportunities for growth, collaboration, and cultural exchange. As these initiatives unfold, the collaboration is set to leave a lasting impact on the educational landscape of both Taylor's University and Universitas Pancasila.

Dr Lisa Tung appointed as Vice President for Malaysia, Asia Pacific Institute for Events Management

Asia Pacific Institute for Events Management (APIEM) is Asia Pacific's number 1 professional institute for events education which was established in 2016. Its mission is to contribute to the professionalisation of the events and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions (MICE) industry in the Asia Pacific region. 

Dr. Lisa Tung from the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events (SHTE), Taylor’s University, is recently appointed by APIEM as the new Vice-President for Malaysia. Dr. Lisa Tung joined the education industry in 2003 and taught hospitality and marketing related modules before moving on to event management modules in 2006. Prior to joining the education industry, she was working in the hotel industry in the UK. She is also involved in research in the areas of destination loyalty, motivation, satisfaction, tourist interactions, tourist emotions and events management.

As the Programme Director for the Bachelor of International Events Management (BIEM), Dr. Lisa Tung brings along her expertise in events management to create presence for APIEM in the Malaysia scene. Her leadership and dedication to advancing the field align seamlessly with APIEM's commitment to excellence and innovation.

As the newly appointed Vice President for Malaysia, Dr. Lisa Tung will be responsible in driving APIEM's mission to elevate the standards of events management education and practice in Malaysia. This includes fostering collaborations with industry partners, leading educational initiatives, and contributing to the overall growth and development of the event's management sector in Malaysia.

In addition, the appointment extends the opportunity for SHTE to expand its network with APIEM members for potential project collaborations. The successful projects that SHTE had collaborated previously with APIEM were the 1st and 2nd Asia Virtual Events Research Conference (AVEC), where the Taylor's BIEM students coordinated the virtual conferences and received positive feedback.

We extend our warmest congratulations to Dr. Lisa Tung on this strategic appointment and looking forward to fresh perspectives and ideas in promoting the continuous improvement within the event's industry.

Academic Visit by University of Split, Croatia to Taylor's University via ERASMUS+ Fund

It was a week of educational diplomacy between the School of Media and Communication, Taylor’s University and the University of Split, Croatia in a spirit of international exchange partnership. The forging of this global academic partnership collaboration funded by the European Union under the ERASMUS+ Programme, was led by Prof Dr. Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan, Executive Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management and Ms. Prema Ponnudurai, Head of School of Media & Communication from Taylor's University; Professor Dr. Silvana Tokić and Ms. Mia Vatavuk, Head of International Relations & Mobility (ERASMUS+) from University of Split, Croatia.

The prestigious ERASMUS, an acronym for "European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students" is a programme founded by the European Commission in 1987 with the aim to foster international educational exchange programmes and the ERASMUS+ was established to promote cooperation between universities and higher education institutions across Europe with global institutions to which Taylor’s University is a member.

The students and academics from the Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons) (Digital Media Production) programme benefitted greatly through the lecture session conducted by Professor Dr. Silvana Tokić, titled “Film as a Socio-Political and Propaganda Tool”, providing insights through the European socioeconomical and political lens. During the lecture session, the students also had the opportunity to understand the vast prospects for mobility and other exchange possibilities through the ERASMUS fund in order to leverage on the international experience while enabling them to manage educational costs efficiently.

Additionally, this programmes also provided opportunities to pave the way for sustainable partnership collaborations, academic exchanges between both institutions and set the stage for avenues to enable students and faculty members to engage in research, faculty exchange and study programmes at each other’s campuses.

The heart of this collaboration revolves around fostering a symbiotic relationship delving into the possibilities provided by the ERASMUS+ funding from the European Union, for the benefit of international educational exchanges, gaining exposure and expertise from both institutions for quality education.