Taylor’s University: Leadership Spotlight: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kandappan Balasubramanian Appointed as Head of School for Hospitality, Tourism, and Events
Malaysia, 5 November, 2024 - We are pleased to announce the appointment of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kandappan Balasubramanian as the Head of School for the School of Hospitality, Tourism, and Events (SHTE) in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management. Dr. Kandappan brings a wealth of experience in both the hospitality industry and academia, along with a strong network and a deep commitment to collaborations aimed at elevating the school’s recognition and success to new heights.
In his previous role as Programme Director for the Master of International Hospitality Management and Master of Global Hospitality Management, he actively engaged his postgraduate students in research, fostering a culture of innovation and industry engagement. He also led the Sustainable Tourism Impact Lab (STIL) as the Director, driving Taylor’s purpose-driven education in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As an active researcher, Dr. Kandappan published widely in renowned hospitality and tourism journals, focusing on Hospitality 4.0, AI, and service innovation, which garnered recognition across Asia, Europe, and South America. He also headed the prestigious Management Grand Prix (MGP) competition for Malaysian hoteliers in collaboration with the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), promoting industry leadership and excellence. His innovative teaching earned him multiple awards at the International University Carnival for E-Learning (IUCEL), the Taylor Distinguished e-Learning Educator (DeE) award, the Exemplary Meritorious Academic Staff (EMAS) Award, and recognition as an Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE). He has graduated four doctoral students and currently holds an active FRGS research grant, having completed several research projects in the past. In addition, he remains an active player in the hospitality sector, conducting multiple training and consultancy programmes for the industry.
The faculty warmly welcomes Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kandappan and encourages full support as he takes on the role of Head of School at Taylor's, shaping the future of hospitality and tourism through his academic leadership and industry contributions. We would also like to express our gratitude to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Joaquim Dias Soeiro, whose leadership has been instrumental in positioning the school and contributing significantly to SHTE's achievements. The faculty wishes him the best in his future endeavours.