Taylor's Distinguished Diplomat Series: Episode 2

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25 Jul 2025

5 Min Read

The Taylor's Team (Editor)

IN THIS ARTICLE

Amid today’s shifting global landscape, the need for diplomatic literacy is more pressing than ever. At Taylor’s University, this urgency is being met with the Distinguished Diplomat Series — an initiative by the Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) in International Relations programme that brings students face-to-face with senior diplomats. Designed to bridge academic learning with real-world experience, the series offers candid, off-the-record dialogues that illuminate the practice of diplomacy beyond the textbook.

professionals seated in a lecture theater

Taylor’s Distinguished Diplomat Series: Connecting Students with Global Leaders

The Distinguished Diplomat Series is a purposeful space for dialogue, critical reflection, and leadership development. Created to give students in the International Relations programme unique exposure to global affairs, the series features high-level practitioners in moderated conversations that bring international politics into the classroom in dynamic and human ways.

 

Each session is hosted by Dato’ Dr Ilango Karuppannan, a seasoned Malaysian diplomat whose 33-year foreign service career includes postings as Ambassador to Lebanon and High Commissioner to Singapore. His presence lends both gravitas and practical insight to each discussion, offering students a bridge between theory and the lived realities of diplomacy.

 

Following a well-received inaugural session in May featuring H.E. Vanu Gopala Menon, High Commissioner of Singapore to Malaysia, the momentum carried into the second episode, which took place in July 2025.

two professionals having a forum on stage

Diplomacy, Dialogue, and Insight

The second instalment of the series welcomed Her Excellency Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the Political-Security Community. The event drew a full house of more than 70 participants, including students, faculty members, and diplomatic representatives. Among the distinguished guests were ambassadors from Belgium and Spain, and officials from the embassies of Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Italy — a testament to the series’ growing recognition within the diplomatic community.

 

Dato’ Dr Ilango, Dato’ Astanah spoke about the challenges and opportunities of fostering regional security and political cooperation within ASEAN. She also shared personal anecdotes from her diplomatic career, revealing the human side of international relations — from navigating delicate negotiations to building trust across borders.

 

What stood out most to attendees was the atmosphere of open exchange. The session concluded with a student-led Q&A that allowed for direct engagement, creating a two-way dialogue between future practitioners and seasoned professionals. Students asked probing questions, gaining insights into both policy processes and the values that guide diplomatic work.

 

The learning extended beyond the main session. A closed-door networking lunch, hosted at Truffles Restaurant by Taylor’s Culinary Institute, offered a more informal setting for continued conversations among invited guests, faculty, and the speaker. It was an opportunity for deeper connection, professional exchange, and relationship-building.

 

As Taylor’s prepares for future episodes set for September and into 2025, the Distinguished Diplomat Series continues to grow as a signature initiative. It not only enhances the academic experience of International Relations students but also strengthens the university’s broader mission to cultivate globally minded, socially responsible graduates.

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