Delegates from Taylor’s, as well as other local and international institutions, gathered to reexamine and reimagine the purpose of universities – and how higher education can evolve to meet the needs of a fast-changing world.

Prof. Barry Winn, Vice-Chancellor and President of Taylor’s University, gave a warm welcome to delegates in his Opening Address and set the stage for an inspiring lineup of keynote speakers.

Keynote 1: Prof. Debbie Haski-Leventhal of Macquarie University Australia, and author of The Purpose-Driven University, spoke on how universities can shift their focus from being the “Best in the World” to being the “Best FOR the World”.

Keynote 2: Prof. Hong K. Lo of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) shared how universities can build sustainable smart campuses from his experience as the Director of GREAT Smart Cities Institute at HKUST.

Keynote 3: Dr. Anil Khamis of Aga Khan University Pakistan and UCL Institute of Education related his challenges and success in driving transformation through university research, programmes, and activities in relation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Keynote 4: Prof. Noah Pickus of Duke University United States spoke about starting new global universities in the 21^st century, his experience in adapting the American liberal arts model to Asian and African contexts and leveraging new technologies to lower costs.

Delegates gained value not only from the talks, but also from the insightful Q&A sessions with the speakers on the real-world applicability of their ideas in delivering an impactful higher education experience for students.

The conference also saw 50 high-quality papers being presented by academics and students, sharing their innovation and experiences in teaching and learning.

Conference paper presenter AP Ts. Dr. Chockalingam Aravind Vaithilingam said: “Attending TTLC 2024 was an enriching experience. The impactful keynotes and masterclass sessions provided valuable insights, enhancing the overall learning atmosphere. Winning the Best Paper Award added a delightful sense of accomplishment to an already rewarding conference.”

For student presenter Eng Ee Shen (Bachelor of Information Technology, Year 2), the opportunity to present during TTLC 2024 was “a significant honour”. He said: “It provided me with a platform to showcase my abilities and contribute to meaningful discussions. This experience challenged me to refine my presentation and communication skills, equipping me with valuable tools for future endeavours.”

In addition to the two-day conference, a pre-conference student event titled ‘Taylor’s Education and Social Change (ESC) Townhall’ was held on 24 February 2024. It served as a forum for 117 student leaders to converge and deliberate on strategies for championing social justice through academia.

Participating universities and organisations included Taylor’s University, Taylor’s College, UCSI University, Youth Beyond Boundaries (YBB), Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UniTEN), Abertay University, Sunway University, Sunway College, Higher Education Malaysia Association (HEYA), University of Nottingham, International Council of Malaysian Scholars (ICMS), University of Wollongong (UoW), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Peninsula College Malaysia, IJM Corporation Berhad, Association Of Malaysian Economics Undergraduates (AMEU), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT), and AIMST University.

Key themes addressed during the Townhall included curriculum development, diversity and inclusion, community engagement, and the role of research in driving social change. Participants discussed the development of outreach programs, partnerships with grassroots organisations, and the establishment of platforms that facilitate dialogue between academia and marginalised communities. It also showcased the impactful purpose-led endeavours of university students and youth advocates.

Yong Yun Ni (Bachelor of Law, Year 2, Taylor’s University) shared that “it was incredibly insightful and eye-opening to engage with student leaders from various universities in Malaysia during the ESC Townhall and Forum. I am deeply honoured to have shared this space with brilliant individuals, whose passion and insights inspire me to redouble my efforts towards fostering meaningful social change.”

All in all, TTLC 2024 conference delegates walked away refreshed and equipped with tools to build purpose-driven universities and organisations that seek to meet the needs of our world.