Taylor’s Student Chapter Earns Prestigious Recognition at the 2026 PATA Awards

The School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events, Taylor’s University, proudly celebrated the outstanding achievement of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Malaysia Taylor’s Student Chapter at the 2026 PATA Awards. The recognition reflected the Chapter’s continued contributions to advancing youth leadership, professional engagement, and responsible tourism through meaningful industry collaboration, community initiatives, and student-led activities.

Former Chapter Chair Abdulla Iyaan Ahmed, who currently serves as President of the PATA Malaysia Chapter Student Wing, was conferred the prestigious PATA Face of the Future Student Excellence. The accolade recognised his exemplary leadership, commitment to youth empowerment, and contributions to the advancement of responsible tourism. Currently pursuing the Bachelor of International Tourism Management (Honours), Iyaan will commence his internship in September, building on his leadership experience, industry exposure, and commitment to sustainable tourism.

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The achievement reflected the collective efforts of the PATA Malaysia Taylor’s Student Chapter in developing confident, socially responsible, and industry-ready tourism professionals. Through sustained participation in professional forums, sustainability initiatives, community engagement, and tourism advocacy, the Chapter has fostered meaningful connections among students, industry stakeholders, and the broader community.

The Chapter’s achievements were further strengthened by the dedicated mentorship of Dr. Thanam Subramaniam, Advisor to the Student Chapter, together with the continued guidance of Prof. Dr. Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kandappan Balasubramanian. The recognition underscored Taylor’s University’s commitment to developing future-ready tourism professionals who lead with purpose, champion responsible practices, and create meaningful impact across the tourism and hospitality landscape. It also highlighted the University’s continued efforts to empower students to contribute to a more sustainable, resilient, and responsible global tourism industry.

Taylor's Culinary Institute and Mandarin Oriental Desaru Coast Forge Strategic Partnership Through MoU Signing Ceremony

Taylor’s Culinary Institute (TCI) marked another significant milestone in advancing industry–academia collaboration with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mandarin Oriental Desaru Coast. Held at Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus, the ceremony brought together academic leaders and hospitality professionals to formalise a partnership centred on talent development, industry engagement, and enhanced experiential learning opportunities for students. The programme commenced with a meet-and-greet session, providing representatives from both organisations with an opportunity to exchange insights and strengthen professional connections.

This was followed by welcoming remarks from the Master of Ceremonies and an opening address by the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management, Prof. Dr. Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan. He emphasised the importance of building strong relationships with leading hospitality organisations to provide students with authentic industry exposure and prepare them for the evolving demands of the profession. Representing Mandarin Oriental Desaru Coast, Ms. Fiona Hagan, General Manager, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent and expressed enthusiasm for closer engagement with Taylor’s Culinary Institute. She highlighted the importance of mentoring aspiring culinary professionals and creating opportunities that connect academic learning with professional practice.

The formalisation of the MoU marked a shared commitment to advancing culinary education and hospitality excellence. The framework encompasses student internships and industry placements, guest lectures, curriculum enhancement, collaborative projects, research, and professional development initiatives, providing valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange between academia and industry. A key initiative arising from the collaboration is the proposed Kitchen Takeover Programme, which will provide selected Taylor’s Culinary Institute students with hands-on experience in the professional kitchens of Mandarin Oriental Desaru Coast under the guidance of Executive Chef Fazli Rahman. This immersive experience will enable students to apply their academic knowledge in a luxury hospitality environment while strengthening their technical, leadership, teamwork, communication, and operational capabilities.

The event culminated in a networking luncheon, providing faculty members, hospitality professionals, and invited guests with an opportunity to strengthen professional relationships and explore future areas of engagement. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to educational excellence, innovation, and talent development. By bringing together academic expertise and industry experience, the initiative creates meaningful pathways for students to develop the knowledge, skills, and professional confidence required to excel in the global culinary and hospitality sectors. The initiative further reinforces Taylor’s University’s commitment to delivering industry-relevant, world-class education through meaningful engagement with leading hospitality organisations, while preparing graduates to contribute effectively to an increasingly dynamic and competitive industry.

Establishing New Pathways for Culinary Excellence: Taylor’s Culinary Institute and Positano Risto Strengthen Industry Collaboration

Taylor’s Culinary Institute marked a significant milestone in strengthening industry–academia relations with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Positano Risto. Held at Truffles Restaurant, Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus, the ceremony reaffirmed both organisations’ shared commitment to advancing culinary education, strengthening industry engagement, and providing students with meaningful opportunities for experiential learning and professional development. The event brought together academic leaders, industry representatives, faculty members, and invited guests to commemorate the establishment of this strategic relationship between Taylor’s Culinary Institute and Positano Risto.

The programme featured welcoming remarks and an opening address by the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management, Prof. Dr. Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan, who emphasised the importance of cultivating strong and sustainable relationships with industry leaders to enhance educational outcomes, strengthen industry relevance, and support graduate readiness. Representing Positano Risto, Chairman Datuk Wira Syed Zaid Al-Hadad and Managing Director Rezza Khair shared the organisation’s vision for nurturing the next generation of culinary professionals through closer engagement with higher education institutions. Their remarks highlighted the value of integrating academic knowledge with professional expertise to equip students with the capabilities, practical competencies, and adaptability required to thrive in an evolving culinary and hospitality landscape.

The official exchange of the MoU symbolised a shared commitment to preparing industry-ready graduates equipped with practical knowledge, professional competencies, and innovative mindsets. It further strengthens the connection between academic learning and real-world practice while supporting talent development within Malaysia’s dynamic culinary and hospitality sectors. Students will benefit from a range of experiential learning initiatives, including industry projects, guest lectures, professional mentoring, internships, culinary demonstrations, and other industry-led activities. These engagements will provide valuable exposure to current professional practices, industry standards, and emerging trends, enabling students to apply classroom knowledge within authentic workplace settings.

Faculty members will also have opportunities to engage with industry practitioners through knowledge exchange, collaborative research, curriculum enhancement, and professional development activities. These engagements will help ensure that academic programmes remain relevant, responsive, and aligned with the evolving needs of the culinary and hospitality sectors. The ceremony concluded with a networking luncheon, providing guests, faculty members, and industry representatives with an opportunity to strengthen professional connections, exchange insights, and explore potential areas for future engagement.

The occasion marked an important step in Taylor’s Culinary Institute’s continued efforts to build meaningful connections with the professional community and advance excellence in teaching, learning, research, and graduate employability. It also reflects Taylor’s University’s broader commitment to delivering industry-relevant, world-class education through strategic engagement that fosters innovation, nurtures talent, and contributes to the continued advancement of Malaysia’s culinary and hospitality sectors.