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.