As Associate Professor and Head of the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events, Assoc Prof Dr Kandappan brings over 26 years of experience spanning both the hospitality industry and academia. In this role, he leads academic development, industry engagement, and research initiatives that support the advancement of hospitality and tourism education.

Holding a PhD in Management specialising in Hospitality, with a focus on Innovation and Technology, Dr Kandappan's expertise includes hospitality management, service innovation, hospitality technology, and strengthening industry-academia collaborations.

His teaching and leadership are shaped through close collaborations with hospitality industry partners, professional bodies, and international universities. Through partnerships with organisations such as the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) and the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), he supports the integration of industry certifications, applied projects, and experiential learning opportunities into the curriculum.

Dr Kandappan's contributions to teaching and educational innovation have been recognised through awards including Taylor's Distinguished e-Learning Educator (DeE), the Exemplary Meritorious Academic Staff (EMAS) Award, and global recognition as an Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE).

For Dr Kandappan, hospitality education should equip graduates with industry readiness, critical thinking abilities, professional networks, and the confidence to lead and innovate in the global hospitality industry.

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As Senior Lecturer and Programme Director for the PhD (Hospitality & Tourism) and MSc (Tourism) programmes, Dr Rupam brings more than 11 years of experience across both academia and the hospitality and tourism industry. In his role, he supports teaching, student supervision, and postgraduate programme administration.

Holding a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Tourism & Hospitality from Taylor’s University, Dr Rupam specialises in service innovation, technology adoption, and consumer behaviour. His areas of expertise also include research methodology, hospitality and tourism management, service quality, service operations, artificial intelligence, consumer engagement, and sustainability in hospitality and tourism.

Prior to joining academia, Dr Rupam worked in hotel operations and has since contributed to consultancy and research projects with organisations including Bank Negara Malaysia, MyCEB, and partners in China and the Philippines. These experiences provide valuable industry and research perspectives that support both teaching and programme development.

Dr Rupam has received several recognitions for his contributions to teaching, research, and service, including Best Paper Awards, the Gold Award for e-Learning Innovation from UNIMAS, recognition as a Best Reviewer, and appointments as a judge for national and international competitions. He has also held editorial leadership and visiting professor appointments.

Dr Rupam hopes students develop confidence, independence, critical thinking, and strong research capabilities, while becoming adaptable and industry-ready graduates who can apply their knowledge meaningfully within hospitality and tourism practice.

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As Programme Director for the Master of International Hospitality Management and Master of Global Hospitality Management (ODL) programmes, Dr Anshul brings 27 years of experience across academia and industry.

Holding a PhD in Hospitality & Tourism, his areas of expertise include self-service technologies in hospitality and restaurants, robotics, artificial intelligence, service quality, hospitality services, hospitality education, and human resource management.

Dr Anshul actively collaborates with industry partners, ensuring that teaching and programme design remain aligned with evolving industry practices and technological developments.

His contributions to hospitality research have been recognised through awards including the Best Academic Researcher of the Year Award, the Global Hospitality Award, and multiple Best Paper Awards for research on technology adoption and innovation in hospitality settings.

Dr Anshul hopes students complete the programme as confident, reflective, and industry-ready professionals who think critically, act ethically, collaborate effectively, adapt to change, and engage in lifelong learning.

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As Programme Director for the Bachelor of International Events Management, Dr Khairiah brings 16 years of experience in events education, supporting students in developing the knowledge and practical skills required within the events industry.

Holding a PhD in Tourism from Universiti Putra Malaysia, her areas of specialisation include Events Management, Entertainment Events, Event Risk, Event Safety and Security, Business Events, and Tourism Risk. Her expertise also extends to music festivals, location-based services (LBS), dark tourism, and community-based initiatives within the tourism and events context.

Dr Khairiah actively engages in industry collaborations and real-world event projects, ensuring that programme delivery remains connected to current industry practices and expectations.

Under her guidance, the Hype-Lah Charity Project organised by her students was awarded Champion at the Malaysia Business Events Awards (MBEA) 2024 under the University Programme – Students Organised category.

Dr Khairiah emphasises the importance of strong organisational skills, professionalism, critical thinking, and effective teamwork. She encourages students to develop the confidence to manage real-world events and communicate effectively with clients and stakeholders.

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As Senior Lecturer and Programme Director for the Bachelor of International Tourism Management, Dr Thanam brings 16 years of experience in academia across economics, business, and tourism. Prior to joining Taylor's University, she also served as Programme Leader for a Bachelor of Marketing and Media programme.

Holding a PhD in Tourism from Universiti Putra Malaysia, her areas of specialisation include Tourism Marketing, Tourism Experiences, Tourist Behaviour, Tourism Economics, and Sustainable Tourism. She is particularly passionate about teaching and guiding students through tourism-related projects.

Since 2023, Dr Thanam has actively engaged in industry collaborations and real-world tourism projects, bringing current industry perspectives into her teaching, research, and programme development.

Her contributions have been recognised through achievements including the PATA Gold Award for Best Cultural Heritage Preservation for a student project in Lenggong, as well as a Bronze Award at IUCEL 2025 for a project exploring the use of AI in monitoring real-world public relations projects.

Dr Thanam encourages students to develop confidence, critical and creative thinking skills, professionalism, and adaptability. She also emphasises the importance of effective collaboration, responsible use of emerging technologies, professional ethics, and lifelong learning within the evolving tourism industry.

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