Building Resilience from Day One: AEP’s Holistic Approach to Student Wellbeing

“The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change their future by merely changing their attitude.” — Oprah Winfrey

The Academic English Proficiency (AEP) module under the School of General Studies & Languages welcomed its new cohort with a purposeful and empowering initiative that addressed not only academic readiness, but emotional wellbeing. In support of international students transitioning into university life, AEP Module Coordinator Ms. Judith Nesamalar Tharumaraj, together with Ms. Sharon Linang Jimbun, Lecturer, organised an Emotional Wellbeing Workshop themed Own Your Feelings, Fuel Your Strength. The workshop aimed to foster resilience, self-awareness, and confidence among students beginning their studies with additional English language support.

The AEP module brings together international students from a range of degree programmes who are enrolled based on their English language proficiency. For many, adapting to a new country, academic culture, and heightened language demands presents significant challenges. In response, the AEP team collaborated with the University’s Centre for Counselling Services (CCS) to design a workshop that combined emotional guidance with practical coping strategies.

The workshop was facilitated by CCS counsellors Mr. Adrian Paul Lajium and Ms. Ungmui Lau and was conducted across multiple sessions to accommodate the large cohort. An encouraging 217 out of 245 students participated, reflecting strong engagement and a shared recognition of the importance of emotional wellbeing alongside academic development. Through interactive discussions and reflective activities, students explored topics such as recognising emotional triggers, managing academic expectations, and developing healthy coping mechanisms. They were also introduced to the range of support services available on campus should they require further assistance.

The workshop aligned closely with AEP’s broader mission, to nurture not only academic English proficiency, but also confidence, emotional awareness, and personal resilience. By the end of the sessions, students left equipped with practical strategies and a reassuring understanding that attending to their wellbeing is an essential part of their growth as learners and that support is always within reach.

Immersed in Words: IEN Students Experience Language Learning in the Heart of Kuala Lumpur

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” — Benjamin Franklin

Students from the Intensive English Programme (IEN) under the School of General Studies & Languages, Taylor’s University, participated in an educational excursion to Kuala Lumpur City Centre designed to extend learning beyond traditional classroom boundaries. The initiative provided students with meaningful opportunities to practise English in authentic settings while engaging with Malaysia’s cultural, historical, and urban landscape.

A total of 62 students took part in the excursion, accompanied by Module Leaders Ms. Sharon Linang Jimbun and Ms. Judith Nesamalar Tharumaraj, with additional support from Ms. Norshahila Mohamad Razak and Dr. Jacqueline Thomas Pereira. The experience encouraged students to apply language skills in real-world contexts, strengthening communication confidence and fostering cultural awareness through active participation.

The excursion featured visits to key landmarks, beginning with the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, where students gained insight into Malaysia’s renowned pewter craftsmanship and its historical significance. This was followed by a visit to the National Palace (Istana Negara), offering students a glimpse into the country’s royal traditions and heritage. The journey concluded at Central Market, where vibrant cultural spaces and local interactions provided a natural environment for students to practise English while exploring Malaysian arts, crafts, and cuisine.

Students described the excursion as memorable and enriching, expressing appreciation for the opportunity to learn beyond the classroom and connect with peers and lecturers in a dynamic setting. These reflections underscored the value of experiential learning in building confidence, curiosity, and a sense of belonging within the academic community.

As part of IEN’s commitment to holistic language education, excursions such as this play a vital role in supporting students’ academic progression and cultural integration. More than a learning activity, the experience served as a celebration of exploration, communication, and connection, reinforcing the importance of immersive learning in shaping confident, globally engaged learners.

Beyond Theory: Industry-Relevant HACCP Learning in Real-World Food Safety

This semester marked a key milestone in our commitment to purpose-led learning through the successful completion of an industry-embedded Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) project. Conducted in collaboration with eight Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) food manufacturers across the Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur (Cheras), and Teluk Intan, Perak, the initiative meaningfully bridged classroom learning with real-world food safety practice. These SMEs play a vital role in Malaysia’s food supply chain, making the collaboration both timely and impactful.

Designed to connect theory with application, the project moved students beyond academic discussions into active production environments. Through site visits and field engagement, students observed manufacturing workflows, hygiene practices, and critical control points within functioning food processing facilities, gaining first-hand insight into the operational realities of food safety management. Working closely with their assigned companies, student teams reviewed existing practices, identified gaps in food safety controls, and developed practical, step-by-step HACCP plans tailored to each company’s operational capacity and readiness. These plans were designed as working documents that SMEs may adopt and refine as they strengthen their food safety management systems.

The project culminated in a formal evaluation led by two respected industry professionals, Mr. Abdul Hadi Bin Ismail, Adjunct Lecturer and representative from the International Food Safety Training Centre (IFSTC), Ministry of Health and Ms. Alicia Kho Muei Gek, an experienced Food Safety Consultant. Their involvement added professional rigour and provided students with authentic industry-level feedback on regulatory expectations and implementation challenges.

Overall, the initiative reflects a deliberate teaching and learning approach grounded in purpose, relevance, and responsibility. By exposing students early to the realities of food safety implementation, the project reinforces the understanding that effective food safety systems rely not only on documentation, but on shared commitment across the food chain, preparing graduates to apply food safety principles confidently in professional practice.