Taylor’s Triumphs with PATA Gold 2025: “Lenggong Valley Heritage Revival” Shines Bright

Taylor’s University extends its heartfelt congratulations to the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events, led by Dr. Thanam Subramaniam, Programme Director and Senior Lecturer, on being awarded the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award 2025 in the category of Best Cultural Heritage Preservation Initiative for the pioneering project “Lenggong Valley Heritage Revival.”

This prestigious accolade affirms the School’s steadfast commitment to sustainable tourism, cultural heritage preservation, and community empowerment. The project reimagines one of Southeast Asia’s most significant United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites as a vibrant and sustainable tourism destination, engaging 30 students from the Bachelor of International Tourism Management and the School of Media and Communication (Public Relations) in a multidisciplinary partnership.

In collaboration with Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) Perak, the Lenggong District Council, local communities, tour guides, and the Taylor’s Sustainable Tourism Impact Lab, students devised innovative strategies to address challenges in infrastructure, visibility, and stakeholder engagement. Their efforts resulted in three key outcomes: 360-degree immersive digital storytelling, a sustainable community hub model, and the Lenggong Cultural Festival.

These initiatives safeguarded intangible cultural heritage, empowered local youth, and fostered inclusive economic growth, while advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The project also delivered far-reaching benefits, policy partners gained access to VR-driven tourism tools, local residents became artisans, entrepreneurs, and cultural custodians, and students enhanced their employability, entrepreneurial mindset, and commitment to heritage preservation.

This achievement exemplifies Impact Lab learning in action, bringing together academia, industry, and community to co-create solutions with lasting impact.

Showcasing Talent, Shaping Futures: Taylor’s Event Students Make Their Mark at EventXpo and MBEA 2025

From 7 to 9 August 2025, students from the Bachelor of International Events Management programme, School of Hospitality, Tourism & Events (SHTE), demonstrated their professionalism and industry readiness at two prestigious platforms held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC): EventXpo 2025 and the 3rd Malaysia Business Events Awards (MBEA) 2025. Organised in collaboration with the Malaysian Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (MACEOS), these events provided an invaluable opportunity for students to apply classroom learning in real-world settings while being assessed for their Events Operations module.

At EventXpo 2025, 64 students from the International Events Management and Mass Communication (PR & Event) programmes undertook diverse responsibilities, including emceeing, registration, buyer and visitor promotion, public relations, communications, sales, marketing, and social media content creation. With over 90 exhibitors, three state pavilions, and international participation from Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, India, and Singapore, the event offered students a unique platform to experience the scale and complexity of managing an international exhibition. Guided by module leader Ms. Dhiya Hikmahana Abdul Razak, the experience strengthened their skills in communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and stakeholder engagement, hallmarks of successful event professionals.

Running in parallel, the Malaysia Business Events Awards (MBEA) 2025 on 7 August honoured excellence in the business events sector, with special recognition for student-led projects. Taylor’s students achieved notable success:

• The Live Event Project Team, supervised by Dr. Khairiah Ismail, emerged as the Winner in the Student Organised Event Category for their Hype-Lah Charity Event, organised in collaboration with ChildAidAsia Malaysia to support underprivileged children’s artistic development. Project Leader Yap Shuen Ting prepared the award submission, with Maryam Shaufa representing the team during the award presentation.

• Two additional projects received Merit Awards: HEX Talk 2024: Transforming the Entertainment Event Horizon – Embracing Global Dynamics, supervised by Ms. Dhiya Hikmahana and represented by Nsimire Vwikalo Nissi; and Sake Symphony: A Tasting Journey, supervised by Mr. Ch’ng Chor Ban and represented by Jadon Lim Wenxhuan.

These accomplishments reflect the strong synergy between academia and industry in preparing future leaders for the events sector. By embedding experiential learning within its curriculum, SHTE continues to nurture graduates who are globally competitive, industry-ready, and equipped to deliver impactful events on both local and international stages.

Rising Global Talent: Taylor’s Events Student Named 2025 PCMA Foundation Scholar

Taylor’s University proudly congratulates Ibrahim Naahil Ahmed, a student of the Bachelor of International Events Management programme, on being named a 2025 The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Foundation Scholar, a prestigious recognition awarded to outstanding future leaders in the global business events industry.

The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), the world’s largest business events association, empowers professionals through education, networking, and innovation. Each year, its Foundation Scholars programme identifies exceptional emerging talent and provides transformative opportunities for professional and personal growth.

As part of this honour, Naahil will receive a tuition award and full sponsorship to attend PCMA Convening Leaders 2026, the association’s flagship global event, taking place from 11 to 14 January 2026 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia. This platform will enable him to engage directly with international industry leaders, expand his professional network, and gain exclusive insights into emerging trends and best practices in strategic event management.

Reflecting on the achievement, Naahil, a proud Maldivian student, shared: “Being named a PCMA Foundation Scholar is an incredible honour and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I look forward to learning from global leaders, gaining insights into the future of events, and contributing those experiences towards the growth of our industry in Malaysia and beyond.”

“This recognition not only celebrates Naahil’s potential but also reflects the calibre of our Events Management students, who are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and industry exposure to excel globally,” remarked Dr. Khairiah Ismail, Programme Director, Bachelor of International Events Management. Naahil’s success reinforces Taylor’s University’s commitment to nurturing future-ready graduates who are poised to shape the future of the international events industry.