A Milestone in Tourism Excellence: Zaha Ziyad Redefines the Industry with the President’s Award for Special Achievement

Zaha Ziyad, a graduate of the Bachelor of International Tourism Management (Hons) programme from the School of Hospitality, Tourism & Events at Taylor’s University, has been awarded the distinguished President’s Award for Special Achievement during the 56th Republic Day celebrations in the Republic of Maldives. This prestigious accolade recognizes her exceptional academic excellence, exemplary leadership, and significant contributions to the tourism industry.

Presented by H.E. Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Maldives, the award celebrates individuals who have achieved remarkable success in their respective fields, bringing pride and recognition to the nation. Zaha’s accomplishment reflects her steadfast dedication to academic excellence and her influential role in shaping the future of tourism.

While pursuing her undergraduate studies at Taylor’s University, Zaha showcased outstanding leadership as the President of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Malaysia Taylor’s Student Chapter. Under her visionary guidance, the chapter made significant strides in advancing tourism education and practices across Malaysia and the Southeast Asian region, solidifying its reputation as a key contributor to the industry.

Currently, Zaha is advancing her academic and professional journey by pursuing a Master of Science in Tourism at Taylor’s University. Her unwavering commitment to fostering sustainable and innovative tourism practices positions her as a trailblazer and an ambassador for positive change in the global tourism sector.

Taylor's University wishes Zaha Ziyad a heartfelt congratulation on this incredible achievement! Her success serves as an inspiration to aspiring leaders and professionals in the tourism industry.

Welcoming 2025 with an Esteemed Visit: Mr. GP Yeow, General Manager of JW Marriott Hong Kong, Strengthens Ties with Taylor’s University

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.

Mastering Excellence: Taylor’s Master of Counselling Programme Earns Full Accreditation

The School of Liberal Arts and Sciences (SLAS) is proud to announce that its Master of Counselling programme has achieved full accreditation (MQA/FA 14223). This significant milestone highlights the programme’s compliance with the rigorous standards set by the Malaysia Board of Counsellors (LKM). It stands as a testament to the school’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional education in counselling, equipping graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their professional practice.

The accreditation process involved a comprehensive evaluation by esteemed assessors: Prof. Datin Dr. Ruhani binti Mat Min from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Salleh bin Amat from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and Ms. Hanisah binti Amran, the MQA Officer, who participated in the MQA visit. To achieve this milestone, the programme underwent a meticulous review to meet the rigorous programme standards set by the Malaysia Board of Counsellors (LKM). The Master of Counselling programme successfully navigated key stages of the process, including the Joint Technical Meeting conducted by the LKM on 18th November 2024, the LKM Board Meeting on 19th December 2024, and the final approval granted during the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) Accreditation Committee Meeting (MJA) on 22nd January 2025. Each of these milestones reflects the programme’s commitment to surpassing regulatory expectations, emphasizing its comprehensive approach to professional training.

This accreditation also marks a significant milestone for the university’s students. With the programme now fully accredited, the first cohort of Master of Counselling students is set to graduate in February 2025. This inaugural batch of graduates represents a new generation of competent and compassionate professionals ready to contribute to the advancement of mental health and counselling services in Malaysia and beyond. Their success is a reflection of Taylor’s University’s dedication to nurturing future leaders in the field.

This momentous achievement underscores Taylor’s University’s steadfast commitment to excellence in education and its dedication to fostering a future generation of skilled counsellors. The school extends its gratitude to the Malaysia Board of Counsellors (LKM), the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), and the assessors for their invaluable contributions throughout the accreditation process. The collaborative efforts of all parties involved have been instrumental in achieving this success. This recognition also highlights the school’s tireless efforts to maintain high standards of teaching and to ensure the programme remains relevant to the needs of the community.

As the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences (SLAS) celebrates this remarkable milestone, it reaffirms its mission to advance mental health education and accessibility. The full accreditation not only validates the programme’s quality but also solidifies Taylor’s University’s position as a leading institution in counselling education, setting a benchmark for excellence in the field. By continuing to prioritize innovative teaching approaches and practical training, the university aims to prepare graduates who are academically proficient, compassionate, and culturally sensitive practitioners.