Taylor's Business School Reconnects with Alumni to Shape Its Future

05 Jun 2026

6 Min Read

Wong Yoke Fun (Alumni Team), Stacey Aw (Faculty Office, Taylor's Business School), The Taylor's Team (Editor)

IN THIS ARTICLE

When Taylor's Business School brought 27 of its graduates back to campus recently, the agenda was simple: talk, listen, and engage with its alumni. What emerged from the day was a clear picture of an institution that knows where it has been, and is getting sharper about where it needs to go.

The event, titled Shaping the Future of Taylor's Business School, drew alumni from cohorts spanning 2006 to 2025. They represented a wide cross-section of professional backgrounds, including corporate executives, entrepreneurs, academics, and consultants, with 85.7% based in Malaysia and 14.3% having built careers overseas. Among those present was Kenny Hong, Director of Solution Consulting (ASEAN) at Oracle Corporation Malaysia.

The programme included a campus tour, focus group discussions, and surveys, giving alumni both a look at how the School has evolved and a structured opportunity to share their experiences and expectations. The insights gathered also form part of the School's ongoing AACSB reaccreditation process, with alumni engagement serving as a key component of the evidence the global accrediting body requires.

What the Graduates Had to Say

The survey findings painted a largely positive picture of the School's impact on its graduates. A total of 80% of alumni reported being currently employed, with many holding managerial, leadership, entrepreneurial, or academic positions. The majority rated their learning experience a 4 or 5 out of 5 for alignment with industry expectations, career advancement support, and workplace readiness.

When asked which skills had proven most valuable in their careers, critical thinking topped the list. Communication and presentation skills, leadership and teamwork, analytical and decision-making abilities, and digital and technical competencies followed closely. Alumni pointed to practical, applied learning experiences as the foundation of their professional readiness, particularly industry-based projects, case-based teaching, and strong academic support.

But alongside the affirmations came pointed observations. Focus group discussions surfaced clear expectations for the School to go further: more exposure to real industry environments and tools, stronger digital and technical training, and continued emphasis on communication and adaptability. Alumni were candid about the gap between academic preparation and the demands of a rapidly evolving workplace, particularly around digital transformation and real-world problem-solving.

Strategic Direction, Shared Goals

Alongside the feedback, the School took the opportunity to share where it is headed. Executive Dean of Taylor's Business School, Professor Dr Eddy Chong outlined its strategic priorities: strengthening industry relevance, enhancing student employability, and continuing to develop its facilities and programmes in line with AACSB accreditation standards. Alumni responded positively, particularly to the upgraded facilities. The trading room drew specific mention as a benchmark for the kind of industry-standard learning environment the School is building toward.

The exchange revealed a strong alignment between what the School is pursuing and what its alumni want to see. Both sides pointed to the same goal: graduates who are not just academically prepared, but genuinely work-ready.

Show All

false

Show All

An Alumni Community Ready to Contribute

Perhaps the most energising part of the day was what it revealed about alumni appetite for continued involvement. Over 71% expressed interest in professional networking, career mentoring, and industry talks and webinars. Entrepreneurship and business forums were equally popular. Many alumni also indicated a willingness to contribute directly as mentors, guest speakers, event organisers, and industry collaborators.

The School sees this as a significant opportunity. Plans are in place to expand alumni engagement through hybrid event formats, more targeted programming, and improved communication, addressing the practical barriers of time and location that currently limit participation.

The wider alumni network is no small thing: Taylor's Business School graduates are active across seven countries through the School's country chapters, representing programmes from Business and Finance to Accounting, MBA, and PhD.

Looking Ahead

The feedback gathered will directly inform how the School moves forward: from introducing job simulations and industry-based projects, to strengthening digital and ESG curricula, to embedding alumni more deeply into mentorship, guest lectures, and industry engagement activities. The direction is clear, and the appetite on both sides is there.

For Taylor's Business School, this event was never just about looking back. As the School put it, the goal is to collaboratively shape what comes next, together with the very people it helped to produce.

BACK TO NEWS AND ARTICLES

{{ firstlevel.title }}

{{ firstlevel.title ? firstlevel.title : vm.computedTitle(firstlevel.path) }}

{{ secondlevel.title }}

{{ secondlevel.title }}

{{ secondlevel.title }}

{{ secondlevel.title }}

{{ thirdLevel.title }}