Taylor's University Launches Malaysia's First Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Programme

6 March 2026

SUBANGJAYA: Taylor’s University has unveiled Malaysia’s first Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) (Honours), establishing a new standard for interdisciplinary education. This innovative three-year degree programme aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders and thinkers equipped to navigate global challenges and transformations within various industries.

According to the World Economic Forum (2023-2027), 50% of companies prioritise critical thinking, analytical skills, and leadership; however, many employers find it challenging to locate graduates who possess these competencies. Taylor’s PPE programme seeks to bridge this gap by merging academic excellence with practical application. Students will engage with pressing issues in governance, economic stability, sustainability, global policy, and social justice, acquiring a broad yet practical foundation to tackle complex socio-political and economic challenges.

"In today’s dynamic world, specialising in multiple fields provides a significant competitive edge. One of the most common challenges we hear from industry leaders is that many graduates are not 'job-ready' due to a lack of critical thinking skills and a multi-perspective approach essential for addressing various intricate global issues, including public policy concerns in the workplace.

Recognising this, we have designed our PPE programme to integrate academic excellence with industry engagement, equipping students with the analytical skills, strategic foresight, and ethical reasoning necessary to drive progress in an ever-evolving world," stated Professor Dr Ong Kian Ming.

A notable strength of Taylor’s PPE programme is its distinguished Industry Advisory Panel (IAP), chaired by Professor Dr Ong Kian Ming, Pro Vice-Chancellor for External Engagement at Taylor’s University, as well as a former two-term Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry in Malaysia.

The IAP comprises esteemed policymakers, economists, corporate leaders, and academics, including Khairy Jamaluddin, Tony Pua, Professor Farish Noor, Dr Tricia Yeoh, and Dr Lee Hwok-Aun, among others. This panel will provide mentorship, foster research collaborations, deliver guest lectures, and offer unique industry engagements to align theoretical knowledge with practical application.

Dr Deboshree Ghosh, Programme Director for PPE emphasises the crucial role of industry partnerships in shaping the programme’s relevance and impact. "A key differentiator of our PPE programme is its strong industry ties. The IAP plays a pivotal role in ensuring our graduates gain insights from renowned thought leaders in politics, business, and governance. Their invaluable experience complements our programme’s structured learning journey, ensuring our graduates are equipped with strategic decision-making and problem-solving skills, preparing them to excel in multi-industry career paths.”

The launch event at Taylor’s Lakeside Campus featured an exclusive fireside chat moderated by Professor Dr Ong Kian Ming, with distinguished members of the IAP, including Khairy Jamaluddin, Former Minister of Health and Co-Host of Keluar Sekejap, Shahril Hamdan, Founder & Managing Director of Watchtower Advisory and Co-Host of Keluar Sekejap, Dr Tricia Yeoh, Associate Professor of Practice at Nottingham University, Malaysia and Former Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), together with Dr Melati Nungsari, Associate Professor of Economics and the Deputy Dean of Research, Asia School of Business. Their discourse highlighted how PPE education addresses critical skill gaps in public policy, governance, economics, and business, equipping graduates for leadership roles in Malaysia and beyond.

Reflecting on the value of the PPE Programme, Professor Farish Noor, an accomplished scholar and member of the Industry Advisory Panel, shared “It is my hope that this programme will produce graduates who are not only familiar with the issues and concerns of today's world but also capable of viewing the present state of global politics through lenses that recognise the nuances and subtleties of the complex world we live in. The world has always been a complex place, but its complexity warrants and deserves a thorough analysis – an analysis which I believe is only possible when we adopt a multidisciplinary approach, combining tools of political science, economics, and philosophy.”

Taylor’s University welcomes applications for its April and September 2025 intakes, offering a 100% scholarship on tuition fees for both intakes, or a 10% bursary exclusively for the first cohort of the April intake.