With the recent success of introducing digital-driven programmes to help produce graduates who are prepared to meet the growing demand for skilled digital workers, Taylor's University held a launching event of Malaysia's two new technologically led programmes on 12 January 2022.
The Bachelor of Interactive Spatial Design (Honours) and Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sustainable Digital Construction Management were introduced to equip future students with the "soft skills" that are highly valued by employers, such as analytical thinking, persuasive communication, and knowledge of immersive technology.
Taylor's Virtual Online Future Technology & Extended Reality (VORTEX XR Lab) and other digital facilities provide excellent support for present and future students taking innovative programmes at the university. As described by Professor Dr David Asirvatham, their Faculty of Innovation & Technology Executive Dean, "the XR facility integrating augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) have access to the latest real-life extended reality equipment and specialised skills, useful for teaching and learning content creation as well as for ideation, designing, and prototyping immersive experiences."
The Bachelor of Interactive Spatial Design (Honours), a one-of-its-kind programme aims to engage students through immersive content by teaching the theoretical foundations of spatial design with immersive technology for indoor and outdoor environments. The use of technologically advanced equipment like Matterport cameras, projection mapping tools and MinistryXR VR headsets is one of the core objectives of this program, which aims to produce more innovative and marketable students. This programme will offer two specialisations as part of its course.
This innovative and versatile programme allows future Smart Home Design and Smart Environment Design students to choose from a traditional internship, work-based learning experience with Taylor's industry partners like FrameMotion Studio Sdn Bhd, Virtual X Malaysia, Ministry XR, HONOR, and IMT Smart Home, or the technopreneurship track, which gives them the chance to start their own business while being mentored by BiPod, one of Taylor's University's entrepreneur incubator as three learning track options.
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sustainable Digital Construction Management programme is introduced with an aim of preparing students with the tools they need to take on the challenge of environmental responsibility in the building industry. Offering two specialisations, Green Construction and Smart Construction, future students will have two learning track options to choose from in this programme.
They can either undergo the traditional internship program or experience a year of work-based learning with Taylor's industry partners to prepare themselves for the local and global construction industry. The new programme will be led by industry leaders and partners such as Eco World Development Group Berhad and Green Quarter Sdn Bhd to ensure better hands-on practical experience in the built environment. As the construction industry becomes increasingly digitised, the curriculum is focusing more and more on building information modelling (BIM) for construction management and planning. As for innovative equipment, future students will fully utilize technologies like laser scanning, drones, artificial intelligence, AR, and 3D printing.
These two new innovative programmes from Taylor's University will open for their first intake of students in March 2023 and will have two intakes yearly in March and August.