School of Media & Communication Students Excel at Malaysian Digital Association d Young Achievers Challenge

Taylor's School of Media and Communication (SOMAC) marked a significant milestone at the Connexion Conference & Event Centre Kuala Lumpur, as our students clinched the prestigious Gold Award at the renowned Malaysian Digital Association (MDA) d Young Achievers Challenge. This esteemed annual competition served as a vibrant platform for students to demonstrate their talents, apply their academic knowledge, and tackle real-world challenges in Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), digital advertising, and marketing.

SOMAC representatives attended the MDA Conference and Award Ceremony, experiencing a night of remarkable achievements and recognition. The evening culminated in a momentous victory as all three SOMAC teams advanced to the Top 8 Finalists, with the WeCrave team securing the Gold Award at the inaugural MDA d Young Achievers Award. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all eight students for their outstanding accomplishments.

WeCrave Team (Finalist Gold Winner):

• Zoe Kirstyn Lee, Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons)

• Loh Jynshwen, Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons) in Advertising & Brand Management

• Michael Tan Yin Han, Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons) in Advertising & Brand Management

All Nighters Team (Finalist):

• Sherry Tan Zi Yi, Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons) in Advertising & Brand Management

• Isaac Loo Kian Teck, Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons) (Public Relations & Marketing)

• Iva Wong Min Ing, Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons) in Advertising & Brand Management

Team 22 (Finalist):

• Kerryane Tan Kai Yan, Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons) in Advertising & Brand Management

• Tan Xin Yi, Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons) in Advertising & Brand Management

This success stemmed from SOMAC's strong collaboration with the Malaysian Digital Association (MDA), fostering student projects, internships, and other industry-relevant initiatives. Additionally, the invaluable guidance of Mentors and Programme Directors, Mr. Philip Gan Chee Keat and Dr. Fahizah Shamsuddin played a crucial role in the students' journey to success. Their dedication and expertise were instrumental in navigating the challenges of the competition.

We are immensely proud of our students for their exemplary performance and unwavering commitment. Their achievements underscored the exceptional education and training standards at the School of Media and Communication. Congratulations to all the participants and their mentors for this incredible accomplishment! Let's continue to support and celebrate our students' successes as they lead the way in innovation and creativity in the digital age.

Taylor's Student-Led Sustainability Study at Tadom Hill Resorts Aims to Advance Hospitality Practices

29 students from diverse academic disciplines undertook a site visit to Tadom Hill Resorts as part of the "Business of Hospitality, Food, and Leisure Management" module. Enrolled in programmes such as Bachelor of International Hospitality Management (Hons), Bachelor of International Tourism Management (Hons), Bachelor of International Events Management (Hons), Bachelor of Culinary Management (Hons), and Bachelor of Patisserie Arts (Hons), the participants were assigned to collect data for a group project focused on evaluating sustainability practices at the resort as part of a real world learning experiences.

The visit aimed to explore current sustainability initiatives, identify areas for improvement, and evaluate the effectiveness of existing practices. Students engaged with YBhg Dato’ Lai Yeng Fock, the Founder of Tadom Hill Resorts and Director of Carbon Zero Sdn Bhd & Tadom Biocarbon Sdn Bhd, gaining invaluable insights into sustainability challenges and strategies. A focal point of their research was the use of bamboo as a building material and bamboo charcoal for cleaning and insect repelling. The students observed these sustainable practices firsthand by visiting a bamboo charcoal manufacturing unit on the resort grounds.

The students assessed various aspects of the resort, including the food and beverage facilities, sustainable features of the accommodations, and staff professionalism. They observed the use of local products, such as bamboo, and noted the involvement of the surrounding Temiar community, highlighting the resort's dedication to sustainable tourism. After the visit, the students reflected on their observations to propose enhancements and innovations aligned with current sustainable tourism standards and trends. Their reflections will be presented in a group oral assessment, where they will provide recommendations for further advancing sustainability at Tadom Hill Resorts.

Overall, the visit offered students invaluable hands-on experience in sustainability planning, project management, and stakeholder engagement within the hospitality industry.

Empowering Secondary Educators through Harnessing EngageVR for Immersive Learning

School of Education in collaboration with Taylor's VORTEX XR Lab hosted a workshop for secondary school teachers from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Convent, Klang. The workshop centered on immersive learning, specifically exploring the pedagogical applications of EngageVR technology in diverse classroom settings.

The training was led by Senior Lecturers from the School of Education, Dr. Thivilojana Perinpasingam and Dr. Tan Shin Yen along with Mr. Faisal Athar, the XR Specialist from VORTEX XR Lab. Mr. John Hii Ing Kieng, Director of Vortex at Learning Innovation and Development department, and Dr. Charles Sharma Naidu, Senior Lecturer from The Design School also contributed to the workshop.

Throughout the workshop, educators delved into fundamental immersive learning methodologies, focusing on Virtual Reality (VR) using the EngageVR platform. By the conclusion of the session, participants had acquired valuable hands-on experience in integrating EngageVR into educational practices.

This initiative significantly bolstered their digital competencies and aptitude for enhancing student engagement through interactive virtual training simulations and language learning environments. These activities were specifically designed to augment listening and speaking proficiencies, utilizing advanced controls and IFX integration within the EngageVR framework.

This workshop marked a significant step forward in advancing digital competencies among secondary school educators. By integrating EngageVR technology into their teaching practices, participants gained practical experience in utilizing immersive learning methodologies to enhance student engagement and proficiency.

The collaborative efforts of the School of Education and Taylor’s VORTEX XR Lab have not only equipped teachers with cutting-edge tools but also demonstrated a commitment to fostering innovation in educational environments. As educators left the workshop with new skills and insights, they were well-prepared to implement interactive virtual simulations in their classrooms, ultimately enriching the learning experience and driving educational excellence.