Culinary Horizons Widen: Chef Khairul Anuar Named MLA "Lambassador", Elevating Taylor’s Culinary Institute on the Global Stage

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) continues to expand its global culinary footprint through the Lambassador Program, an international initiative that champions the quality, sustainability, and versatility of Australian lamb. Since its launch in Japan in 2015, the program has brought together over 50 chefs, butchers, and culinary educators across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. MLA is a government-designated service provider that delivers marketing and research programs for Australia’s red meat industry. It operates independently from any representative or lobbying body as a public company limited by guarantee.

In 2025, Taylor’s Culinary Institute proudly joins this prestigious network with the appointment of Chef Khairul Anuar Muhamad, Senior Lecturer, as Malaysia’s official Lambassador for the Australian Red Meat Industry (2025–2026). His leadership at FHA Singapore 2025, both as Malaysian National Culinary Team Manager and through MLA’s sponsorship of the National Culinary Team Challenge, was instrumental in securing this recognition.

As part of his Lambassador journey, Chef Khairul was invited by the Victoria State Government to Australia for an immersive experience in the red meat industry. Highlights included visits to sustainable lamb and Wagyu farms, 100% Halal-certified processing facilities, culinary workshops with award-winning chefs, and industry engagements with producers and restaurateurs across Victoria.

Representing Taylor’s Culinary Institute, Chef Khairul also conducted multiple masterclasses at William Angliss Institute in Melbourne, where he showcased the versatility of Aussie lamb through the lens of Classical Malaysian Cuisine. In a friendly cook-off at The Stones at Yarra, his dish earned the “People’s Choice Award for Best Main Course,” standing out among 12 Lambassadors from across the globe.

“We are proud to see the Lambassador Program flourish in Malaysia, and having an experienced educator like Chef Khairul on board—especially with his whirlwind global culinary journey—brings tremendous value to the initiative. We’re excited to witness his ‘borderless cuisine’ philosophy and regional collaborations come to life. The Lambassador Program 2025 is more than just about promoting a product; it’s about telling a story of quality, sustainability, and deep culinary passion,”— Richard Sanders, Country Manager, MLA UK.

Chef Khairul’s appointment not only celebrates his personal excellence but also underscores Taylor’s Culinary Institute’s commitment to global culinary leadership, education, and innovation.

Bridging Minds and Workplaces: Ms Affezah Ali Appointed Associate Consultant at UKM’s PsiTra Clinic, Bringing Taylor’s Expertise to the Fore

We are pleased to announce that Ms. Affezah Ali, Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Industrial & Organisational Psychologist at the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Taylor’s University, has been appointed as an Associate Consultant (Industrial and Organisational Psychologist) at the PsiTra Psychology and Consultation Clinic (PKPK), Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). The PsiTra Clinic is one of UKM’s premier platforms for psychological services and applied consultation, bringing together experts from various branches of psychology to address a wide spectrum of community and institutional needs.

In this role, Ms. Affezah will contribute her professional expertise in Industrial and Organisational (I/O) Psychology to support consultation efforts relating to employee wellbeing, organisational dynamics, workplace mental health, and behavioural interventions in professional settings. As an Associate Consultant, she will be responsible for providing psychological insights into workplace challenges, conducting assessments and evaluations, designing intervention strategies, and collaborating on client-based cases within the I/O psychology domain. This appointment presents valuable opportunities to apply psychological principles to real-world contexts, particularly for organisations seeking evidence-based approaches to employee development, engagement, and mental wellness.

This inter-university appointment not only acknowledges Ms. Affezah’s applied experience and academic foundation in psychology but also reflects a broader institutional commitment to sharing expertise, strengthening professional practice, and contributing to national conversations on psychological service delivery across diverse domains, including the workplace. Her involvement further reinforces Taylor’s University’s mission to bridge academic knowledge with community and organisational needs, extending the reach of psychological consultation beyond clinical settings. Through this role, Ms Affezah continues to advocate for the role of psychology in fostering healthier, more resilient, and more effective workplaces.

We extend our warmest congratulations to Ms. Affezah Ali on her appointment and look forward to the meaningful impact of her contributions to the advancement of industrial and organisational psychology across collaborative national platforms.

Where Psychology Meets Performance: Taylor’s Clinical Psychologist Mr. Allistair Adam Appointed as a classification Officer Majlis Sukan Negara

Mr. Allistair Adam Anak Nelson, Lecturer in the Master of Clinical Psychology programme at Taylor’s University, has been appointed as a classification officer for the Siri 1 Para Ping Pong Kebangsaan Allianz Majlis Sukan Negara Malaysia (MSN) ITAM. Organised by the National Sports Council of Malaysia, the event brings together para athletes from across the country and is held at the Para Sports Excellence Centre in Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur.

In this role, Mr. Allistair is responsible for conducting IQ assessments as part of the athlete classification process. These assessments play a critical role in ensuring that athletes are placed into the appropriate competition categories based on their cognitive and functional abilities, an essential step in promoting fairness and integrity within para sports.

His appointment underscores the valuable application of clinical psychology beyond traditional therapeutic settings. Skills such as psychological testing, structured observation, and evidence-based decision-making are being utilised to support equitable participation and athlete wellbeing in competitive sport. Accurate classification not only safeguards the fairness of competition but also contributes to athletes’ personal growth and sporting development. When athletes are appropriately classified, it fosters confidence, sustains motivation, and encourages ongoing engagement with sport.

Mr. Allistair’s involvement is a strong example of how psychologists can contribute meaningfully to the wider community. His work highlights the intersection between mental health, psychological assessment, and sports performance, reinforcing the importance of inclusivity and ethical standards in national sporting events. This collaboration stands as a testament to the real-world relevance of psychological expertise in advancing societal goals.