Taylor's Toulouse University Centre (TTUC) Celebrates Excellence and Advances Education through Global Partnerships

In November 2025, the Taylor's Toulouse University Centre (TTUC) hosted a series of landmark events in Toulouse, France, bringing together alumni, students, and global hospitality professionals to celebrate academic excellence and industry engagement. The programme began with the TTUC Board Meeting, co-chaired by Prof. Dr. Florent Hautefeuille, Vice-President of Université Toulouse – Jean Jaurès (UT2J), and Prof. Dr. Darren Marc Bagnall, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of Taylor’s University. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cyrille Laporte, Dean of ISTHIA, and Prof. Dr. Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management, presented key updates on research collaborations, student and graduate matters, mobility programmes, and the renewal of partnership agreements. Discussions also included updates on the 9th Asia-Euro Conference 2026 and preliminary plans for TTUC’s 40th Anniversary, reinforcing the Centre’s commitment to international collaboration and long-term strategic development.

The momentum continued with the Validation of Prior Experiential Learning (VAE) Graduation Ceremony, celebrating the successful graduates of the Master of International Hospitality Management (MIHM), Master of Food Studies and Gastronomy (MFSG), and Bachelor of International Hospitality Management (BIHM) programmes, delivered by Université Toulouse – Jean Jaurès through the collaborative partnership between Taylor’s University and UT2J. Distinguished representatives from both universities attended the ceremony, highlighting the strength of the academic partnership and reaffirming a shared commitment to lifelong learning and professional advancement. Alumni shared insights from their professional journeys, complemented by strategic perspectives from Mr. Sundra Kulendra, Cluster General Manager of Hotel Sama-Sama, Malaysia, providing valuable inspiration for current students.

The programme concluded with a professional day and roundtable session, attended by over 150 postgraduate students from more than 20 countries. Discussions explored emerging trends such as the role of artificial intelligence in hospitality and the importance of intercultural leadership in global organisations. Students gained practical insights into workforce transformation, ethical implementation, and managing culturally diverse teams, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the rapidly evolving global hospitality industry.

In parallel, TTUC further strengthened academic and industry ties between Taylor’s University and ISTHIA – Université Toulouse – Jean Jaurès. This gathering offered an additional platform for global knowledge exchange, networking, and collaboration between students, faculty, and industry professionals. Collectively, these events underscored TTUC’s role as a hub for international collaboration, professional development, and academic excellence, demonstrating a seamless integration of education and industry experience that prepares students for leadership in the global hospitality and tourism sector.