Illuminating Minds: Taylor’s University Triumphs at e-ConDev 2025 with Immersive and Transformative Learning Excellence

Taylor’s University proudly celebrates remarkable achievements at the International e-Content Development Competition 2025 (e-ConDev 2025), organised by Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). The competition brought together innovators in digital education from across the region, recognising excellence in the design and development of technology-enhanced learning. Taylor’s emerged as a standout participant, with the Department of Psychology under the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the School of Media and Communication receiving multiple top honours for their pioneering approaches to immersive and experiential learning.

e-ConDev 2025 featured four competition categories, namely Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), Micro-Credential Module (MC Module), Open Educational Resources (OER) and Product Pitching, with the aim of elevating the quality of e-content in higher education, nurturing innovation and sharing best practices in teaching and learning.

The Department of Psychology’s stellar performance demonstrated its commitment to redefining psychology education through creativity and technology. Among the major wins was VRxMind: The Immersive Pathway to Psychotherapy Competence by Ms. Faeza Hasnan and Dr. Lim Hooi Shan, which garnered both a Special Award (Second Place) and a Gold Award. The project integrates AI-driven therapy simulations with virtual reality, preparing students to apply psychotherapy techniques confidently in real-world settings. Dr. Sam Jeng Mun’s Think. Practice. Master: The CBT OSCE Experience and Mr. Allistair Adam Anak Nelson’s C.R.I.T.I.C.A.L.: Clinical Reasoning through Interactive Teamwork and Immersive Case-Based Active Learning also earned Gold Awards for revolutionising therapeutic training and fostering collaboration through gamified learning.

Another Gold Award was presented to Mr. Mohd Akif Farhan Ahmad Basri for MIRA NEURO, a virtual reality simulation offering learners the perspective of neurodivergent individuals to deepen empathy and understanding of neurodiversity. Silver Awards were conferred to Dr. Hue Chi Yin for Stimulating Memory and Attention through Interactive Music Learning, which enhances cognitive skills through music-based exercises, and to Dr. Lim Hooi Shan and Dr. Sam Jeng Mun for Psych Centre Take Over, an initiative transforming practicum into a leadership journey by allowing students to manage HEART Psychological Services. HEART refers to Healing, Educating, Assessing, Relating, and Thriving, respectively.

From the School of Media and Communication, Dr. Ong Ai Ling was honoured with a Silver Award for Beyond Books: An Experiential E-Content Model from Living Libraries, developed under Taylor’s Active Ageing Impact Lab. The project transforms real-life stories into reusable educational content through the Human Library model, where “living books” share personal narratives that foster empathy, intercultural understanding and reflective learning among students.

Together, these accomplishments affirm Taylor’s University’s leadership in academic innovation and excellence. By integrating artificial intelligence, immersive technologies and human-centred learning approaches, Taylor’s continues to shape future-ready education that empowers learners with the creativity, empathy and critical thinking skills needed to thrive in an evolving global landscape.

Cultivating the Next Generation of Hospitality Leaders: Taylor’s University Collaborates with Hilton Kuala Lumpur

Taylor’s University proudly highlights an immersive workshop recently hosted at Hilton Kuala Lumpur, aimed at nurturing and developing future leaders in the global hospitality industry. The initiative brought together 40 students from the Master of International Hospitality Management (MIHM) programme, alongside selected participants from the Bachelor of International Hospitality Management (Luxury Brand Management) stream, for a full-day experiential learning experience that connected classroom knowledge with real-world insights.

The session began with a compelling session by Mr. Xavier Shah-Boultwood, Assistant Director of Human Resources at Hilton Kuala Lumpur, who shared Hilton’s commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. He highlighted how sustainability and responsible leadership are essential in shaping the future of hospitality. This was followed by an engaging presentation from Mr. Justin Wermers, Director of Food & Beverage, who introduced students to Hilton’s innovative restaurant concepts and challenged them to develop strategies to enhance the guest experience at the hotel’s renowned Vasco restaurant. Students enjoyed a dining experience at Vasco before presenting their recommendations, which were evaluated by Executive Chef Paul Mcloughlin and Director of Operations Ms. Evgenia, both of whom commended the participants for their creativity and professionalism.

The workshop concluded with an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Hilton Kuala Lumpur, giving students valuable insights into the hotel’s operational excellence and the intricacies of managing a world-class hospitality establishment. This initiative reflects the strong partnership between Hilton Kuala Lumpur and Taylor’s University. Through such collaborations, Hilton continues to support the development of future-ready professionals by offering career development opportunities, hands-on industry training, and impactful mentorship.

Taylor’s University extends its heartfelt appreciation to the Hilton Kuala Lumpur team for their continuous support and commitment to education. Special thanks go to Mr. Xavier Shah-Boultwood for organising this enriching workshop and to Mr. Justin Wermers for his leadership and creativity in guiding the students’ learning journey.

A Strategic Step Forward: Advancing Financial Literacy Through Emotional Intelligence

The School of General Studies and Languages (SGSL) continues to strengthen its role in holistic education through impactful collaborations that promote essential life skills and financial literacy. In line with this vision, the Life Skills Development Unit recently participated in the Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) with Higher Learning Institutions Engagement Day, held at Sasana Kijang, Bank Negara Malaysia. Themed “Advancing Financial Education Together,” the event brought together educators from both public and private institutions, financial education practitioners, and student development leaders, united by a shared commitment to enhancing financial literacy within higher education.

A key highlight of the engagement was the Training of Trainers (ToT) session on the newly enhanced Personal Financial Management (PFM) module. The session equipped educators with updated, research-informed financial literacy content, covering areas such as Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) schemes, scams, debt management, and digital financial tools. Beyond technical knowledge, the ToT also explored strategies for embedding financial education into existing curricula in ways that are relatable, sustainable, and engaging for today’s learners.

The engagement extended beyond knowledge sharing as it deepened participants’ understanding of how students think, feel, and behave around money, bridging the cognitive and emotional dimensions of financial decision-making. Attendees also received access to a range of teaching resources, digital tools, and innovative strategies that are especially relevant to Gen Z learners across diverse educational contexts. Building on the insights gained, the Life Skills Development Unit is now integrating financial literacy content into the Emotional Intelligence in Action (EIA) module. This initiative offers a unique opportunity to explore financial behaviour through the lens of emotional intelligence, examining how self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and responsible decision-making influence financial management.

This collaboration with Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) marks the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership. With AKPK’s national credibility and expertise, SGSL looks forward to further initiatives such as student engagement activities, AKPK Club collaborations, and co-hosted programmes that advance holistic student development and financial well-being.