Taylor’s University Culinology® Team Clinched Global Recognition at the Inaugural Anthropocene Case Competition 2026

Taylor’s Culinary Institute is pleased to announce that Team Athena’s, representing the Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Culinology programme at Taylor’s University, achieved 1st Runner-Up at the Inaugural Anthropocene Case Competition 2026, jointly organised by the Hungarian University (MATE) and Bonafarm Group in Gödöllő, Hungary. The competition convened international university teams to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to challenges associated with the Anthropocene era. This year’s case focused on the valorisation of poultry by-products, addressing key issues in food sustainability, circular economy practices, and agri-food innovation.

A total of 60 submissions from 39 institutions across 28 countries were received, with 13 teams advancing to the Grand Final following two rigorous elimination rounds. Among the finalists, Team Athena’s distinguished itself as one of the few undergraduate teams competing alongside postgraduate and doctoral candidates from leading international institutions. Their achievement reflected the strength of the Taylor’s Culinology® curriculum in developing interdisciplinary competencies and applied problem-solving capabilities.

In the Grand Final, teams were allocated 48 hours to analyse the case and present a comprehensive solution. Despite the demanding timeframe, Team Athena’s delivered a well-structured and evidence-based proposal, earning them the 1st Runner-Up position. The overall championship was awarded to a doctoral-level team, further underscoring the significance of this achievement at undergraduate level. Team Athena’s comprised final-year students Chelsea Evelyn Daniella, Amanda Lim Qin, and Chong Qian Yu (Venus), under the supervision and mentorship of Dr. Wendy Lim Pek Kui, Programme Director of the Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Culinology, who accompanied and guided the team throughout the competition in Hungary.

The competition also highlighted the expanding international presence of the Taylor’s Culinology® programme. Two alumni, Dr. Abdul Hannan Zulkarnain and Mastura, are currently affiliated with MATE, reflecting the programme’s growing global academic network. Following the competition, Team Athena’s and Dr. Wendy were invited to visit the Institute of Food Science and Technology at MATE’s Budapest campus. The visit included laboratory tours and discussions on potential collaboration in student mobility, academic exchange, and joint research initiatives, marking a positive step towards strengthening institutional cooperation between both universities.

This achievement underscores the strength of the Culinology® programme in producing graduates who are capable of applying interdisciplinary knowledge to address complex global challenges and perform competitively on the international stage. The participation of Team Athena’s in the competition was fully funded by the Hungarian University (MATE), whose generous support enabled the team to represent Taylor’s University on this international platform and further strengthened the collaborative ties between the two institutions.

Advancing Urban Tourism Sustainability: A Comparative Multi-Stakeholder Study of Bukit Bintang and Phuket Old Town

Taylor’s University continues to strengthen its regional research partnerships through a collaborative matching grant project jointly funded by Taylor’s University and Prince of Songkla University. Titled Comparative Study on Urban Tourism Sustainability: A Multi-Stakeholder Framework for Bukit Bintang and Phuket Old Town Using the Sustainable Tourism Index, the project explores how urban tourism destinations can achieve a sustainable balance between economic growth, cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, effective governance, stakeholder collaboration, and community well-being. As part of the research, a focus group discussion was held in Phuket Old Town, bringing together 25 participants representing local businesses, residents, community organisations, and tourism-related associations. Organised by Prince of Songkla University, Phuket, the session was attended by Dr. Jeetesh Kumar and Dr. Nagathisen Katahenggam, representing the Taylor’s University research team.

The discussion was further enriched by the participation of key government and cultural leaders, including Mr. Piboonsak Kittitornkun, Deputy Mayor of Phuket City Municipality overseeing the Strategy and Budget Division and the Tourism and Sports Division, and Ms. Phuangphaka Chaowwai, Provincial Cultural Director of the Phuket Provincial Culture Office. Their contributions underscored the vital role of public-sector leadership and cultural governance in advancing sustainable urban tourism.

The focus group generated valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges facing Phuket Old Town as a heritage tourism destination. Participants explored issues related to tourism growth, cultural identity, business development, community participation, infrastructure, environmental management, and the importance of stronger collaboration among stakeholders. The findings will contribute to the development of a comparative multi-stakeholder sustainability framework for Phuket Old Town and Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.

Guided by the Sustainable Tourism Index, the project evaluates urban tourism sustainability across five key dimensions: economic, socio-cultural, environmental, governance, and technological. The research is expected to generate practical strategies and evidence-based recommendations to support the assessment and enhancement of sustainability performance in urban tourism destinations across the ASEAN region. By strengthening destination planning, governance, and stakeholder collaboration, the project aims to support more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban tourism while reinforcing the value of cross-border academic collaboration between Malaysia and Thailand.

Revitalising Rural Tourism: Empowering Homestays through Regenerative Eco-Tourism

Taylor’s University, through the Sustainable Tourism Impact Lab (STIL), recently organised a community-based tourism outreach initiative under the project Impact of Regenerative Eco-Tourism on Rural Community Development. The engagement brought together homestay operators from across Negeri Sembilan, alongside representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Malaysia, Lembaga Pelancongan Negeri Sembilan (LPNS), and the Homestay Operators Association, to identify key challenges, opportunities, and strategic priorities for strengthening the homestay sector.

The initiative welcomed 30 homestay owners and representatives from various homestay communities across the state. Through interactive discussions, participants shared their experiences, operational challenges, local tourism strengths, and aspirations for enhancing the quality, visibility, and long-term sustainability of homestay tourism. The sessions provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among community operators, government agencies, tourism stakeholders, academics, and students in advancing rural tourism development.

The event was officiated by Prof. Dr. Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management, Taylor’s University, who emphasised the importance of collaboration among academia, government agencies, industry partners, and local communities in advancing sustainable and inclusive community-based tourism in Malaysia. The welcoming address was delivered by Dato’ Sarjit Singh Sekhon, who highlighted the importance of community participation and multi-stakeholder partnerships in strengthening rural tourism destinations.

The session also featured a keynote presentation by Ahmad Husni Bin Ahmad Basri, Deputy Director of the Package Development Division, Tourism Malaysia, who shared insights into Malaysia’s tourism trends, international visitor arrivals, and the growing contribution of the homestay sector. His presentation highlighted the achievements and future potential of homestay programmes in Negeri Sembilan, reinforcing their role in supporting rural economic development and sustainable tourism growth.

The research engagement was spearheaded by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jeetesh Kumar, Dr. Nagathisen Katahenggam, and Mr. Nantha Gopal, together with students from the Bachelor of International Tourism Management programme. It reflects STIL’s ongoing commitment to serving as a catalyst for collaboration among communities, academia, industry, and government. The outreach also included site visits to selected homestays, enabling the research team to gain first-hand insights into tourism products, visitor experiences, facilities, and the operational realities of community-based tourism enterprises.

This collaborative effort marks the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership to empower homestay operators through capacity building, stakeholder engagement, tourism promotion, knowledge exchange, and sustainable destination development. The research is expected to generate evidence-based findings that will inform tourism policies, strategic planning, and governance frameworks for community-based and Muslim-friendly tourism in Malaysia. Through stronger cross-sector partnerships and the translation of research into practice, Taylor’s University continues to contribute to resilient, inclusive, and regenerative tourism development in Negeri Sembilan while supporting broader national tourism priorities.