Yong Zen (seated, centre) in a group photo with his team after the launch of the first Taylor’s Annual STEM Bowl competition.
FOR over five decades, Taylor’s College has been a leading force in pre-university education, fostering a vibrant community of achievers who don’t just aspire to succeed but are empowered to make a lasting impact on the world.
It lays the groundwork for students as they embark on their journey to global success.
The college’s approach is simple yet powerful: it builds an ecosystem where academic rigour, personalised support and innovative experiences converge, shaping students who are not only ready for top universities but are also equipped to lead and inspire change.
Its pre-university pathways, from Cambridge A Level and the Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT) pathway to Foundation programmes, are designed to provide a holistic and well-rounded education that prepares students for both intellectual and personal growth.
Beyond academics, Taylor’s also ensures that student life is dynamic and enriching. Opportunities abound to join clubs and societies or even create new ones, from launching competitions to leading initiatives that enhance the overall student experience.
These platforms develop leadership, teamwork and creativity, complementing the academic journey with invaluable real-world skills.
Such achievements are best seen through the journeys of Taylor’s College top achievers, each carving their own path to success.
Supportive environment for growth
When Tan Yong Zen began his Cambridge A Level journey, he envisioned more than just academic success. His goal was to study abroad and ultimately leave a positive impact on his community.
He sought a pre-university education that combined strong academic foundations with the flexibility to explore his passions, qualities he found at Taylor’s College.
Taylor’s proved to be the ideal environment, offering not only academic excellence but also the support of dedicated lecturers who consistently went the extra mile for their students.
Yong Zen thrived in this setting, taking on initiatives beyond the classroom, from founding a board game club to spearheading the first-ever Taylor’s Annual STEM Bowl competition.
These experiences equipped him with leadership skills, event coordination and project management, abilities he continues to carry forward.
“Taylor’s has given me the kickstart I needed and I only intend to dream bigger and better the further I go in life,” said Yong Zen, who is now pursuing Biomedical Engineering (Tissue Engineering Specialisation) at the National University of Singapore.
“One day, I hope to proudly say that I’ve created something meaningful and impactful in the world of medicine.”
He credits much of his growth to the personalised mentorship he received. His programme director, Sujata Devi, stood out for her guidance and unwavering support.
“She was incredibly kind and warm and very supportive when I sought her assistance to launch Taylor’s Annual STEM Bowl competition, and even after the event ended, she continued to check in on me,” he recalled.
His subject lecturers, Nesa Ramani and Dr Gilbert Foo, also left a lasting mark by connecting classroom lessons to real-world applications, strengthening his confidence in his chosen field.
For him, mentorship and encouragement were transformative in his journey and he remains grateful to his lecturers, for their support continues to shape his career toward becoming a biomedical engineer.
Reflecting on his studies, the Taylor’s STAR Award recipient shared: “A Level was always a challenging course, but it taught me to be more independent and to keep pushing forward, no matter how tough it gets.”
His advice to juniors is simple yet impactful: “Get involved in the Taylor’s community. It will make your student life far more rewarding.”
Edwin (left) building a CAREbinet made from sustainable materials for underserved communities.
Achieving excellence with community support
For Edwin Chan, the journey to the University of Sydney began with a strategic decision. He wanted a well-structured pre-university course that offered continuous assessment throughout the year, instead of a sole final examination.
The AUSMAT pathway at Taylor’s College, with its focus on internal assessments, proved to be the ideal solution.
“For me, the shift away from final examinations alleviated some of the stresses that accompany them,” Edwin explained.
“It allowed me to maintain a high level of work throughout the course.”
The August intake was another advantage, giving him extra time to prepare and helping him spread out his workload for deeper engagement with his subjects.
Edwin’s academic achievements speak volumes: an impressive ATAR score of 98.75 and the Highest Subject Awards for Chemistry and Biology. He credits this success to the optimal learning environment at Taylor’s.
From the state-of-the-art library to well-equipped classrooms, the campus was designed to support learning and growth.
The comfortable study spaces helped him stay focused, while the welcoming atmosphere made it easy to collaborate with peers.
“I was also able to take my mind off studying by spending time with friends at the lakeside, in the Student Life Centre (SLC), or at Syopz Mall,” said Edwin, who is now pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) abroad.
Small class sizes and flexible deadlines also played a role, allowing him to produce quality work consistently.
“At Taylor’s, I was surrounded by a community that supported and pushed each other to be the best versions of ourselves.”
He recalls his lecturers as a source of motivation, whose effort and dedication inspired him to always give his best.
Beyond academics, Edwin’s time was enriched by impactful experiences such as the CAREbinet project, gaining hands-on skills and teamwork by building a cabinet from sustainable materials.
He also joined a quilling workshop with individuals with special needs from a non-governmental organisation called Gem & Bread, an experience he described as transformative.
“It opened my eyes to their differences and the strength they have to overcome them,” he shared, reflecting on the empathy and perspective he gained.
On the AUSMAT pathway, Edwin described the course as rewarding, adding that it helps students “grow, both academically and personally.”
He also praised the University Placement Services, which he found to be “a highly convenient resource” that provided up-to-date information on requirements needed to progress to an overseas university.
“In terms of personal growth, I learnt how to work with people of different personalities and perspectives,” said Xin Yen.
Fostering creativity
Chee Xin Yen’s path was always clear: she was passionate about design. She sought a pre-university course that would not only align with her creative interests but also offer a dynamic, holistic campus experience.
She found her perfect match in the Foundation in Design programme at Taylor’s College, which provided a vibrant and welcoming campus environment that immediately made her feel at home.
From the abundance of comfortable study spaces to the convenient on-campus stationery store, every detail of the campus was designed to support a design student’s needs. She recalls the excitement of being able to easily find materials and tools, a detail that made a big difference in her creative process.
“In terms of personal growth, I learnt how to work with people of different personalities and perspectives,” she reflected.
“What made the biggest difference, though, were the lecturers. They constantly went out of their way to support me, whether through online consultations or face-to-face discussions during and after class. Their guidance was instrumental in helping me do well and earn a place on the Dean’s List for all three semesters,” she added.
Xin Yen’s drive to apply her knowledge in the real world was equally remarkable. While she did not hold formal leadership positions in clubs, she actively sought external design projects to gain hands-on experience, such as creating a product catalogue for a family friend’s company and designing an art scroll for an upcoming event.
She believes these experiences were “just as valuable” as any formal position, as they allowed her to step into the design industry and gain practical skillIs. In group projects, she often took on leadership roles, learning to guide a team, delegate tasks, and ensure everyone’s ideas were heard.
“I found those group experiences meaningful because they taught me the value of collaboration and responsibility,” she said.
She highlighted that the foundation course at Taylor’s gave her “a more hands-on, well-rounded experience of doing design.”
For her undergraduate studies, she added that UPS had “helped me feel less stressed and more assured in managing such a big step in my journey.”
Now, as she pursues her BA (Hons) in Communication Design at The Glasgow School of Art, she is confident that the skills she developed at Taylor’s, from academic knowledge to professional responsibility, have equipped her for global success.
To learn more about Taylor’s College and its pre-university programmes, visit https://college.taylors.edu.my/en.html
