Echoes from the Axis: Taylor’s Scholar Inspires at TEDxUTM

On 25 May 2025, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia hosted TEDxUTM at the iconic N24 venue in Skudai, Johor, under the theme aXis: Dimensions of Change. The event brought together an extraordinary lineup of speakers, each offering a fresh dimension of thought across fields ranging from education and entrepreneurship to personal growth and social impact.

Among the voices that resonated with the audience was Janak Ashok Teckwani, a PhD scholar from Taylor’s University, who attended the event with his co-supervisor, Dr. Ahmad Mustaqim bin Yusoff. Janak delivered a compelling talk titled “Passive Participants vs Architects of Life,” urging the audience to move beyond passive existence and become active creators of their own paths. Drawing on his diverse experiences as a counselling researcher, social service volunteer, award-winning innovator, and founder of the podcast #TimeToTalk, Janak’s insights were both deeply personal and universally relevant.

With sincerity and conviction, Janak reframed how we view opportunity, success, and failure. He reminded the audience that we often hear about hard work only after it has succeeded, but rarely during its most difficult moments. Sharing stories of his own setbacks and achievements, including representing Malaysia at the Sustainable Expo (SX2024), he emphasised the importance of not waiting for the “perfect time,” but instead beginning with what you have. His talk was a powerful call to stop overthinking, start laying bricks, and build something meaningful, one intentional act at a time.

Janak’s multi-industry perspective, spanning technology, psychology, podcasting, and public speaking, added depth to his message about designing life with awareness, clarity, and resilience. His talk was a timely reminder that failure should be embraced, not avoided, and that challenges should be taken up rather than perpetually feared.

The event also featured moments of levity and performance, adding to its vibrant energy. In a space buzzing with curiosity and creativity, connections were made, ideas exchanged, and perspectives shifted. TEDxUTM 2025 wasn’t just an event, it was a movement of minds pushing boundaries and redefining what it means to lead change.

Strengthening International Academic Ties: Taylor’s University Welcomes Dr. Goran Ćorluka from the University of Split

The School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events (SHTE) was honoured to welcome Dr. Goran Ćorluka from the University of Split, Croatia, as part of Taylor’s University’s ongoing staff mobility programme, a flagship initiative under its internationalisation strategy. His visit marked a significant advancement in strengthening global academic partnerships and fostering meaningful cross-cultural knowledge exchange.

Throughout his engagement with SHTE, Dr. Goran made substantial contributions to both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. He delivered guest lectures across several key modules, including Tourism Integrated Project, Destination Geography and Analysis, Sustainable Tourism Development, Adventure Tourism, and Social Media for Events. His sessions enriched students’ learning experiences by providing first-hand insights into the European tourism and events landscape, effectively bridging academic theory with international best practices.

Beyond his teaching engagements, Dr. Goran engaged in discussions with SHTE faculty to explore opportunities for joint research, co-authored publications, and future academic exchange initiatives. These dialogues laid the foundation for sustained collaboration between Taylor’s University and the University of Split, in alignment with the University’s strategic priorities in internationalisation and research excellence.

The staff mobility programme continues to play a pivotal role in expanding Taylor’s global academic network, enhancing curriculum relevance, and developing culturally attuned, globally competent graduates. Dr. Goran’s visit exemplifies the transformative impact of such initiatives in elevating the institution’s academic standing and providing students with a truly international educational experience.

Taylor’s University extends its sincere appreciation to Dr. Goran Ćorluka for his valued contributions and looks forward to continued collaboration with the University of Split in pursuit of academic advancement and global impact.

Raising the Bar in Hospitality: Smith & Wollensky Shares a Taste of Excellence with Taylor’s Culinary Institute

Taylor’s Culinary Institute had the privilege of welcoming Mr. Mahamad Hafiz Abdullah, Director of Food & Beverage, and Mr. Kamal Yusri, Mixologist, from Smith & Wollensky, the legendary American steakhouse brand set to launch its first Malaysian outlet this September at Petronas Twin Towers, Suria KLCC. Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Boston, Smith & Wollensky is internationally recognised for its United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Prime steaks, dry-aged and hand-butchered on-site, award-winning wine programme, and impeccable service. With locations in major United States cities including Miami, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Boston, the brand is a standard-bearer in upscale dining.

The guest experts conducted an immersive workshop for 14 Diploma in Hotel Management (Semester 1) students, delivering a masterclass in mixology and beverage service excellence. The session began with a brand overview and visual showcase of the restaurant’s interior, setting the tone for a hands-on experience. Students were guided through the preparation of the classic Bloody Mary mocktail using the stir method, followed by the Piña Colada using the shake method. A standout moment was the demonstration of milk-washing, an advanced clarification technique that enhances texture and smoothness while removing bitterness, offering students a unique intersection of science, creativity, and taste.

The session concluded with a consultation segment where students presented original mocktail recipes in preparation for upcoming assessments. The professionals provided constructive feedback and expressed keen interest in featuring standout student creations on the Smith & Wollensky Kuala Lumpur menu, an exciting real-world opportunity for aspiring hoteliers. More than a skills-based session, the workshop offered a rare window into the rigour and refinement of world-class hospitality. It also exemplified Taylor’s University’s commitment to aligning academic learning with global industry standards.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Mr. Mahamad Hafiz Abdullah and Mr. Kamal Yusri for their invaluable contributions and look forward to continued collaboration with Smith & Wollensky Malaysia in shaping the future of hospitality.