Pillars of Progress: Celebrating the Academic Milestones of 8 PhD Graduates in Hospitality and Tourism

In February 2025, the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events, Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management (FSLM) at Taylor’s University proudly celebrated the graduation of eight (8) Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by research students. The Faculty extends its heartfelt congratulations to the graduates and their dedicated supervisory committees on this remarkable academic achievement.

This success stands as a testament to the graduates’ unwavering dedication to research excellence and their meaningful contributions to advancing knowledge in the fields of hospitality, tourism, and related disciplines. Each thesis represents a significant scholarly milestone, further reinforcing Taylor’s University’s standing and global reputation in hospitality education and research. FSLM remains steadfast in its mission to cultivate academic talent and foster a vibrant, forward-thinking research ecosystem.

Student's Name: DR. ATCHARA SALEE (Thailand)

Thesis Title: Developing and Validating Sustainable Tourism Index for Urban Tourism in Thailand

Principal Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Seyyed Mostafa Rasoolimanesh

Co-Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Camelia May Li Kusumo

Student's Name: DR. CHEN LIQUN (China)

Thesis Title: Investigating The Relationship Between Perceived Value, Destination Image, Perceived Risk, and Purchase Intention of Chinese Tourists in Cruise Tourism Post-Covid-19 Outbreak

Principal Supervisor: Prof. Datuk Seri Dr. Victor Wee Eng Lye

Co-Supervisor: Dr. Jeetesh Kumar

Student's Name: DR. JING ZHIKUN (China)

Thesis Title: Motivation, Experience, Satisfaction, and Segmentation of Domestic and International Chinese Martial Arts Travellers in China

Principal Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Seyyed Mostafa Rasoolimanesh

Co-Supervisor: Dr. Chia Kei Wei

Student's Name: DR. KRIS SINCHAROENKUL (Thailand)

Thesis Title: Hotel Characteristics and Effective Crisis Management of Upscale Hotels, Phuket Thailand

Principal Supervisor: Dr. Suresh Kanan Co-Supervisor: Dr. Thanam Subramaniam

Student's Name: DR. MENG XUEYING (China)

Thesis Title: Investigating The Usage Attitude and Loyalty Of Food Delivery

Applications in China

Principal Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan

Co-Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Kashif Hussain

Student's Name: DR. MILDRED NUONG DERI (Ghana)

Thesis Title: Aligning Hospitality Management Education with Industry Needs: Curriculum Development and Competency Integration in Ghanaian Higher Education Institutions

Principal Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan

Co-Supervisor: Dr. Shasitharan Raman Kutty

Student's Name: DR. MUHAMMAD AFNAN BIN HJ MAHUSAIN (Malaysia)

Thesis Title: The Factors Influencing Succession Planning and Leadership Qualities of Five-Star Hotels in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia: An Explanatory Mixed-Method Approach

Principal Supervisor: Dr. Sree Kala Nair

Co-Supervisor: Dr. Ruth Sabina Francis

Student's Name: DR. KEVIN FUCHS (Germany)

Thesis Title: A Thematic Study of Sustainable Tourism in an Island Destination: Empirical Insights from Visitors in Phuket with Implications for Tourism Planning

Principal Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ahmad Shuib

Co-Supervisor: Dr. Rupam Konar

Bridging Borders through Erasmus+ Education: Dr. Rupam Konar Delivered Academic Sessions in Denmark

Dr. Rupam Konar, Programme Director for the PhD in Hospitality & Tourism and Master of Science (Tourism) at Taylor’s University, Malaysia, recently completed a week-long Erasmus+ Staff Mobility Teaching assignment at Zealand – Sjællands Erhvervsakademi in Denmark. Representing Taylor’s, he delivered a series of engaging and interactive lectures across the Roskilde and Slagelse campuses, reaching undergraduate students from the business, logistics, and tourism programmes.

His sessions, centred on “Service Excellence through Sustainable Supply Chain Management” and “Destination Service Development”, seamlessly integrated real-world case studies and collaborative problem-solving exercises, effectively bridging theoretical frameworks with practical applications. Students responded enthusiastically, offering diverse cultural insights and thought-provoking questions that enriched classroom discussions and highlighted the value of transnational education.

Concurrently, the visit also catalyzed significant research momentum. Dr. Rupam engaged in exploratory meetings with colleagues from Zealand and other participating scholars to strengthen institutional collaboration through the Sustainable Tourism Impact Lab, which focuses on joint research initiatives. The discussions advanced plans for collaborative applications to the Danish Innovation Fund, with the goal of securing grants to investigate regenerative tourism models and circular economy practices within the hospitality sector. By linking Taylor’s University’s International Research Network (IRN) with Zealand’s Research Centre for Business Innovation, the mobility experience not only broadened perspectives in the classroom but also laid the foundation for long-term research collaborations that will shape sustainable tourism discourse across regions.

The visit was supported by Zealand’s International Office, whose meticulous logistical coordination ensured a seamless and productive teaching experience. Informal networking sessions with fellow visiting scholars from across Europe further expanded professional connections and sparked discussions on future collaborative modules and virtual exchange initiatives.

This impactful engagement underscores the mutual benefits of the Erasmus+ programme: students gained a global perspective on service excellence, while Taylor’s University further deepened its strategic partnership with Zealand. Dr. Rupam returns to Malaysia inspired by Scandinavian best practices, ready to incorporate new examples into his teaching, and eager to cultivate the promising academic collaborations established during this enriching mobility experience. He also brings home a renewed appreciation for Zealand’s learner-centred ethos and Denmark’s renowned hospitality.

From Bean to Brilliance: Taylor’s Students Explore the World Coffee Championships 2025 in Jakarta

From 15th to 17th May 2025, first-year students from the Diploma in Hotel Management embarked on an enriching educational journey to Jakarta, where they experienced one of the world’s most prestigious coffee events, the World Coffee Championships (WCC) 2025, held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC). Held alongside World of Coffee Asia, the event served as a gateway into Asia’s dynamic speciality coffee culture.

Participants, including roasters, baristas, producers, and entrepreneurs, gathered from across the globe to celebrate innovation, craftsmanship, and community in the heart of a coffee-producing region. The venue also hosted the World Brewers Cup (WBrC), an elite competition showcasing the artistry and skill of manual filter coffee brewing.

Throughout the visit, Taylor’s students had the opportunity to deepen their barista knowledge and hone essential hospitality skills. A particular highlight was engaging with two world-renowned champions: Anthony Douglas (World Barista Champion 2022, Australia) and Mikael Jasin (World Barista Champion 2024, Jakarta), who generously shared their experiences and professional insights.

As part of the WCC Experience Task, students engaged in hands-on learning, experimenting with unique coffee beans sourced globally and exploring the latest innovations in hand-brewing equipment. A memorable moment was their reunion with Clara Bella Vania, a Taylor’s alumna and Sales Manager at Diamond Milk, who introduced them to various milk and coffee bean profiles and facilitated practical training using the state-of-the-art La Marzocco coffee machine.

Adding a special touch to the experience, Albert Supandy, an alumnus of the Bachelor of Culinary Arts and Foodservice Management, hosted a dinner at the Grand Hyatt Jakarta. He shared his academic and entrepreneurial journey, encouraging students to cultivate strong professional networks. The evening concluded with a luxurious 5-star buffet, an unforgettable culinary experience. To round off the trip, the lecturer visited August, a renowned fine dining restaurant in Jakarta co-owned by Taylor’s alumnus Hans Christian, and enjoyed a curated 12-course tasting menu, an inspiring showcase of the global impact of Taylor’s graduates.

This immersive experience not only sharpened the students’ technical competencies but also inspired them through real-world exposure and alumni success stories, reaffirming Taylor’s commitment to excellence in hospitality and culinary education.