Celebrating 100 Readers: A Milestone for Projek BacaBaca

What does it mean for a child to become a reader?

For the 100 children celebrated at Projek BacaBaca: The 100 Readers Celebration – Every Child a Reader, it represented more than the completion of a programme. It signified the development of confidence, the discovery of voice, and a meaningful step towards fuller participation in school and society. Held on 18 April 2026 at Taylor’s Lakeside Campus, the celebration brought together young learners, parents, teachers, reading coaches, education partners, and representatives from the Ministry of Education to recognise and honour the reading journeys of children from the 2025 cohort. The event featured an address by Dr. Rusmini Ku Ahmad, Deputy Director General of Education (Policy & Curriculum) from the Ministry of Education and was officiated by Prof. Dr. Barry Winn, Vice-Chancellor and President of Taylor’s University.

Now in its sixth year, Projek BacaBaca has reached more than 700 children through structured reading interventions in both English and Bahasa Melayu. Led by the School of Education under the Education for All Impact Lab, the initiative supports children aged 6 to 9 who require additional assistance to achieve age-appropriate reading proficiency. A key highlight of the celebration was the student reading showcase, where children demonstrated not only improved literacy skills, but also notable confidence, resilience, and pride in their progress. These achievements were made possible through the sustained commitment of volunteer reading coaches, teachers, families, and strategic partners, including Yayasan Hasanah and the Mah Sing Foundation.

The celebration served as a powerful reminder that foundational literacy extends beyond academic achievement; it is a gateway to confidence, curiosity, and future opportunity. For Projek BacaBaca, the milestone of 100 readers does not mark an endpoint, but rather reinforces a continued commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to read, learn, and thrive.

Where Minds Meet: Advancing Psychology and Counselling Across the Asia-Pacific – APCPC 2026 Highlights

The Asia Pacific Conference on Psychology and Counselling 2026 (APCPC 2026) concluded successfully, marking a significant milestone in bringing together academics, researchers, practitioners, industry partners, policymakers, and students from across the region. The conference brought together 150 participants representing 15 countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, India, the Philippines, China, South Korea, Australia, Brazil, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Uganda, Lithuania, and Mauritius; and served as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, research dissemination, and the cultivation of meaningful collaborations in the fields of psychology and counselling.

The conference was honoured by the presence of distinguished guests, including YBrs. Dr. Haji Saiful Azlan bin Haji Sharif, Pahang State Health Director, and Dr. Nurashikin Binti Ibrahim, Director of the National Centre of Excellence for Mental Health (NCEMH), Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH); Prof. Dr. Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management, Taylor’s University; and Prof. Dr. Rozainee Khairudin, Chair of the Asia Pacific Conference on Psychology and Counselling 2026. The event also welcomed renowned keynote speakers, distinguished delegates, academics, industry partners, and students, whose active participation contributed to the conference’s success and the vibrant exchange of ideas.

In her dual role as Conference Chair and Head of the Department of Psychology, Prof. Dr. Rozainee Khairudin delivered the welcoming address, setting the tone for the conference by emphasising the importance of collaboration, innovation, and research excellence in addressing emerging challenges in psychology and counselling. Her inspiring remarks encouraged meaningful dialogue and reinforced the collective commitment to advancing mental health research, education, and professional practice across the region.

Prof. Dr. Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan extended his heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Neerushah Subarimaniam and the team from the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences for successfully leading and executing APCPC 2026. He commended the seamless organisation of the conference and the strong academic impact it achieved. He further noted that the event reflected outstanding coordination, dedication, and leadership in bringing together a vibrant and meaningful regional platform for psychology and counselling.

Throughout the conference, participants engaged in thought-provoking keynote sessions, oral and poster presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities that showcased innovative research, evidence-based practices, and emerging perspectives. APCPC 2026 reaffirmed the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing mental health awareness, strengthening professional practice, and driving research excellence across the Asia-Pacific region.

The Organising Committee extends its heartfelt appreciation to all committee members, volunteers, speakers, presenters, sponsors, and participants whose dedication, professionalism, and collaborative spirit contributed to the seamless execution and overall success of APCPC 2026. Their collective efforts ensured an enriching and memorable experience for all attendees. Beyond serving as a platform for scholarly exchange, APCPC 2026 celebrated the passion, creativity, and commitment of the psychology and counselling community. The conference not only strengthened regional networks but also inspired new ideas, fostered meaningful partnerships, and laid the foundation for future collaborations that will continue to advance psychology, counselling, and mental health across the Asia-Pacific region.

A.I.A. Week 2026: Uniting Academia, Industry and Alumni to Shape the Future of Hospitality, Tourism and Events

"Great education happens when classrooms connect with industry, alumni inspire the next generation, and partnerships create opportunities beyond graduation."

From 8–12 June 2026, the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events, Taylor's University proudly launched A.I.A. Week (Academia • Industry • Alumni), a signature initiative that brought together 25+ distinguished academics, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and accomplished alumni in a dynamic celebration of collaboration, innovation, and experiential learning. Throughout the week, students engaged directly with global hospitality leaders, tourism experts, event professionals, researchers, and successful alumni who shared authentic industry insights, leadership experiences, emerging trends, and future career opportunities.

More than inspiring conversations, these engagements transformed classroom learning into real-world understanding, empowering students to think globally, innovate confidently, and build meaningful professional networks. Beyond enriching the student experience, A.I.A. Week became a powerful platform for industry networking, international academic collaboration, alumni engagement, talent development, and strategic partnerships. It created opportunities for collaborative research, internships, guest lectures, consultancy, and future initiatives demonstrating how meaningful connections can create lasting impact for education, industry, and society.

As the school continues to champion Learning Beyond the Classroom, A.I.A. Week exemplifies our commitment to developing future-ready graduates equipped with global perspectives, industry relevance, leadership capabilities, and lifelong professional connections. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to every academic, industry partner, alumnus, association, and collaborator whose passion and generosity made A.I.A. Week 2026 an outstanding success. Together, we are not simply educating students, we are building a thriving global community that inspires innovation, creates opportunities, and shapes the future of hospitality, tourism, and events.

We look forward to welcoming even more industry leaders, alumni, academic partners, and collaborators to A.I.A. Week 2027 as we continue to expand this impactful movement and create new opportunities for the next generation of global professionals.