
On January 8, 2025, Taylor’s University had the distinct honour of hosting Mr. GP Yeow, General Manager of JW Marriott Hong Kong, for an engaging and productive visit to our campus. This momentous occasion not only highlighted the university’s state-of-the-art facilities and collaborative ethos but also laid the groundwork for potential partnerships with one of the world’s leading luxury hotel brands, aimed at enhancing our hospitality and culinary programmes.
The partnership with JW Marriott Hong Kong started in August 2022 till to date, there has been over 60 students both Malaysian and International students have been placed for their final year internship. Students are provided HK $7000 as part of their allowance. In addition, students were provided an exclusive training session on optimizing their internship by Mr. Chin Teik, a renowned corporate trainer based in Hong Kong.

The visit commenced with a campus tour led by Chef Frédéric Cerchi, Director of Taylor’s Culinary Institute, showcasing Taylor’s culinary and hospitality facilities. The tour underscored the world-class standing that reflect Taylor’s unwavering commitment to excellence in hospitality education and its dedication to shaping future industry leaders.
Following the tour, a strategic meeting was held at Truffles’ Lounge, attended by key university figures including Prof. Dr. Barry Winn, Vice Chancellor and President, Prof. Dr. Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences & Leisure Management; Chef Frédéric Cerchi; Mr. Chin Teik, Founder & President of Chin Teik Consulting Ltd; and Mr. GP Yeow. Discussions centred on opportunities for further collaboration, including student engagement initiatives in sustainability, structured internship programmes with JW Marriott Hong Kong, and the development of impactful partnerships. Sustainability emerged as a pivotal theme, with innovative strategies to repurpose food waste into creative recipes being explored, aligning with Taylor’s commitment to promoting sustainable practices in the hospitality industry.
The fruitful dialogue continued over lunch with Dato’ Loy Teik Ngan, Group Executive Chairman, where in-depth discussions further solidified the potential for meaningful collaborations. The exchange of ideas emphasized the mutual benefits for both institutions and the students, reaffirming a shared vision for excellence in hospitality and culinary education.

Taylor’s University is privileged to engage with influential leaders like Mr. GP Yeow. This visit represents a significant milestone in strengthening global partnerships and underscores our shared commitment to advancing the standards of hospitality education. Together, we aim to foster innovative solutions and sustainable practices that will shape the future of the industry.