Bridging Defence - Academia: Taylor’s University and MINDEF Forge Strategic Collaboration on Educational Initiatives

The School of Liberal Arts and Sciences (SLAS), Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management (FSLM), was honoured to host representatives from the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), the Malaysian Armed Forces, in a visit that marked the beginning of a significant and strategic collaboration. This partnership between MINDEF and the Department of Psychology, SLAS, aims to strengthen academic, professional, and applied research engagement across key programmes namely the Bachelor of Psychology, Bachelor of Social Science in International Relations, Master of Clinical Psychology, and Master of Counselling.

The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) serves as the Malaysian government body responsible for national defence, military intelligence, and veterans’ affairs, while the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) function as its military arm, comprising the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

As part of this initiative, Taylor’s University is pleased to announce the appointment of Mejar Syakirien Yusoff as a member of the Bachelor of Psychology Industry Advisory Panel. His appointment reflects a shared commitment to ensuring academic programmes remain aligned with industry requirements and national priorities. Looking ahead, the collaboration will also extend to the Asia Pacific Conference on Psychology and Counselling (APCPC 2026), where MINDEF will play an integral role in advancing scholarly discourse and fostering professional exchange within the fields of psychology and counselling.

Taylor’s University extends its deepest appreciation to the following officers from the Malaysian Armed Forces for their invaluable contributions to this initiative:

• Lt Kol Siti Normiah Marzuki – Markas Angkatan Tentera Malaysia

• Lt Kol Rosnita Ramlee – Tentera Darat

• Lt Kol Zul Izzudin – Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM)

• Komander Azwanizam Abu Bakar – Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia

• Mej Syakirien Yusoff – Markas Angkatan Tentera Malaysia

• Lt Komander Nabella – Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM)

  
  

The occasion was further graced by the presence of Prof. Dr. Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan, Prof. Dr. Rozainee Khairudin, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zainah Ahmad Zamani, Dr. Neerushah Subarimaniam and Dr. Andrea Passeri, whose support underscored the importance of this partnership. This strategic collaboration reaffirms Taylor’s University’s commitment to forging impactful engagements that bridge academia, government, and the armed forces, advancing knowledge, research, and professional practice for the greater good of society.