Curriculum Vitae

PERSONAL DETAILS

Dr Thian Lok Boon


BIOGRAPHY

Thian Lok Boon is currently the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Learning and Teaching, at Taylor’s University. She has over 18 years of experience in leadership, curriculum innovation, learning transformation, and quality assurance in private higher education, with 8 years of industry experience as an engineer. 

At the national level, she has contributed to the development of strategic plans for the Higher Education Department at the Ministry of Higher Education. She has also contributed as a Panel and trainer of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency’s Guidelines to Good Practices: Monitoring, Reviewing and Continually Improving Institutional Quality. She represented Taylor’s University as the Deputy President of the Malaysian Higher Education Institutions Quality Assurance Network (MyQAN) for 2 terms.

Lok Boon’s purpose, as an educator, is to empower the youth to live their purpose and to make a positive impact on the community through education. At Taylor’s University, she led various academic quality transformation initiatives. She currently leads a university-wide learning transformation project, named Taylor’s Purpose-led Learning through Impact Labs, focusing on education for sustainable development (https://university.taylors.edu.my/en/about-taylors/taylors-impact-labs.html).  This Project has been awarded the Gold Winner for the Sustainability Education category and the Overall Education Winner during the QS Reimagine Education Awards 2023 (https://www.qs.com/educating-for-impact-an-interview-with-award-winning-taylors-university/#:~:text=The%20Malaysian%20university%20was%20recently,the%20UN's%20Sustainable%20Development%20Goals.).

In addition, Lok Boon has played an important role in designing and implementing a university-wide curriculum transformation project, named Taylor’s Curriculum Framework. She has also led a university-wide learning transformation project, named Multidisciplinary Learning (MLE) to enable students from different disciplines to work together to tackle real-world challenges requiring expertise from different disciplines.

Lok Boon’s research focuses on advancing the quality of higher education through leadership and innovation, especially in education for sustainable development. She is currently leading a research project on Purpose-led Learning through Impact Labs. Her research contributions include leading curriculum innovation and learning transformation as well as quality assurance at higher education institutions. 


ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES
(Role),(Level),(Duration)
  • Pro Vice-chancellor, Learning and Teaching, Centre for Future Learning, Taylor's University, 01/12/2020 to present
  • Director, Curriculum Innovation and Development, Taylor's University, 16/09/2019 to 15/11/2020
  • Director, Quality Advancement, Taylor's University, 01/01/2011 to 15/09/2019
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION
(Qualification),(Institution)
  • Doctor of Philosophy, UNIVERSITI OF MALAYA, Malaysia
  • MBA (With Distinction), UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA, Malaysia
  • Degree In Eelctrical & Electronic Engineering, UNIVERSITY SCIENCE OF MALAYSIA, Malaysia
RESEARCH INTEREST
(Research Area)
  • education for sustainable development
  • higher education leadership and policy
  • curriculum innovation and learning transformation
PUBLICATIONS
(Title of publication in APA style)
Book
2017
  • Nair, V. S., Lee, M. N. N., Thian, L. B. (Eds, 2017). Public-private equilibrium: Balancing growth with quality and equity of higher education in Malaysia using benchmarking approach. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Pearson Malaysia. (ISBN 978-967-349-736-2)
Book Chapter
2020
  • Nair, P. and Thian, L. B. (2020). “Developing fluid and organic curriculum: Principles and lessons to nurture future ready graduates”. In “Preparing 21st Century Teachers for Teach Less, Learn More (TLLM) Pedagogies”, Editors: Nair, P., Keppell, M. J., Lim C. L. IGI Global. Malaysia
2017
  • Thian, L. B. & Goh, B. T. (2017). “Current Scenario of Higher Education in Malaysia: Access and Equity”. In “Public-private equilibrium: Balancing growth with quality and equity of higher education in Malaysia”, Editors: Nair, V. S., Lee, M. N. N., Thian, L. B. Pearson Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ISBN 978-967-349-736-2
  • Nair, V. S., Thian, L. B., Badaruddin Mohamed (2017). “Determinants of Public-Private Mix”. In “Public-private equilibrium: Balancing growth with quality and equity of higher education in Malaysia”, Editors: Nair, V. S., Lee, M. N. N., Thian, L. B. Pearson Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ISBN 978-967-349-736-2
  • Nair, V. S., Thian, L. B., Badaruddin Mohamed (2017). “Policy Implications”. In “Public-private equilibrium: Balancing growth with quality and equity of higher education in Malaysia”, Editors: Nair, V. S., Lee, M. N. N., Thian, L. B. Pearson Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ISBN 978-967-349-736-2
2016
  • Nair, V. S., Lee, M. N. N., Thian, L. B., Kaur, P., Thuraisingam, T. & Supramaniam, M. (2016). Public-private equilibrium: Balancing growth with quality and equity of higher education in Malaysia. In M. N. L. Y. Abdullah & Ahmad Nurulazam Md. Zain (Eds.), Towards sustainable and inclusive higher education: Challenges and strategies (pp. 61-84). Penang, Malaysia: Penerbit Univeristi Sains Malaysia. ISBN 978-983-861-924-0
Article in Journals
2025
  • Thian, L.B., Ng, V. and Chang, Y.H. (2025). Experiential learning through Impact Projects: A framework for implementation, Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice (WOS-Q2)
2022
  • Thian, L. B., Choong, W. K., and Chang, Y. H. (2022), Entrepreneurship through Multidisciplinary Learning: A Cooperative Procedural Framework for Implementation, International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 12 (10) (SCOPUS-Indexed)
2018
  • Thian, L.B, Ng F. P, & Ewe J. A. (2018) Constructive Alignment of Graduate Capabilities: Insights from Implementation at A Private University in Malaysia, Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction: Vol. 15 (2), 2018: 111-142 (Q1) (SCOPUS-Indexed)
2016
  • Thian, L. B., Alam, G. M., & Abdul Rahman Idris (2016). Balancing managerial and academic values: Mid-level academic management at a private university in Malaysia, International Journal of Educational Management, 30 (2), pp. 308 – 322 (ISI-Indexed)
Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,TV,Popular Magazine)
2024
  • Thian, L. B. (2024). 'Purpose learning' the way forward. In The Star. 21 Jan 2024. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com.my/news/education/2024/01/21/purpose-learning-the-way-forward
2021
  • Thian, L. B. (2021). Shifting role of varsities: Need for higher education institutions to become entrepreneurial. In The Star. 12 Dec 2021. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com.my/news/education/2021/12/12/shifting-role-of-varsities
RESEARCH PROJECT
(Project title),(Role),(Duration),(Level)
  • Taylor s Purpose Learning with Impact Labs, Project Leader, 2024 to 2026 (International)
SUPERVISION
(Title of Thesis),(Name of Candidates),(Academic Level),(Role)
COMPLETED
  • Knowledge Transfer Effectiveness on Team Creative Performance and Organizational Performance Through Team Absorptive Capacity, LEOW YEN MEE  (Co-supervisor (Internal))
ONGOING
  • TAN LEI  (Co-supervisor (Internal))
  • SHANG JIGONG  (Co-supervisor (Internal))
  • SHAO WENQIA  (Co-supervisor (Internal))
  • CHANG YEN HENG  (Co-supervisor (Internal))
PRESENTATION
(Title),(Event),(Date Presented),(Organiser),(Level)
ORAL PRESENTER
  • Experiential learning through Impact Projects: A framework for implementation, 15th Taylor' s Teaching and Learning Conference cum International Conference on Purpose Learning, 01/03/2024 to 02/03/2024, Taylor's University (International)
  • Developing fluid and organic curriculum: Principles and lessons to nurture future ready graduates, 12th Taylor's Teaching and Learning Conference , 13/09/2019 to 14/09/2019, Taylor's University (International)
  • Constructive Alignment of Graduate Capabilities: Insights from Implementation at a Private University in Malaysia, 11th Taylor's Teaching and Learning Conference, 22/09/2018 to 22/09/2018, Taylor's University (International)
INVITED SPEAKER
  • Digitalisation in the era of AI: The experience of Taylor's University Malaysia, Artificial Intelligence and Future Education Forum (The Sub-Forum of the 6th Forum on Education Cooperation in South Asia and Southeast Asia in Kunming), 15/09/2023 to 16/09/2023, Yunnan Normal University (International)
  • Fluid and Organic Curriculum for a Post-Pandemic World, Seminar on Internal-External Quality Assurance 2021, 17/03/2021 to 17/03/2021, Malaysian Higher Education Institutions Quality Assurance Network in partnership with Malaysian Qualifications Agency (International)
  • Micro-credential design and implementation considerations: Perspective of a higher education provider, Micro-Credential Webinar , 22/10/2020 to 22/10/2020, Finance Accreditation Agency (FAA) (National)
  • Flexibilisation of degrees: Experience of a private university in Malaysia, Asia-Europe Conference on Lifelong Learning and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 13/12/2018 to 14/12/2018, Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)  (International)
  • Guidelines on Good Practices: Monitoring, Reviewing and Continually Improving Institutional Quality, Seminar on Guidelines on Good Practices: Monitoring, Reviewing and Continually Improving Institutional Quality, 17/08/2016 to 18/08/2016, Malaysian Qualifications Agency (National)
AWARDS AND STEWARDSHIP
(Name of Award/Stewardship),(Award Category),(Awarding Institution),(Year Awarded),(Type of Award)
  • Overall Education Award, Competition, QS (Quacquarelli Symonds), 2023 (QS Reimagine Education Award)
  • Sustainability Education, Competition, QS (Quacquarelli Symonds), 2023 (QS Reimagine Education Award)
  • Best Learner, Taylor s Breakthrough Leadership Program 2016, in collaboration with Harvard Business Publishing., Special, Taylor's Education Group, 2016 (Best Learner)
  • Chairman's Award for Excellence - Outstanding Service, Services, Taylor's University, 2010 (Outstanding Contribution)
ACADEMIC/TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION
(Activity),(Organisation),(Duration),(Role)
  • Organising Committee, 15th Taylor's Teaching and Learning Conference sum International Conference on Purpose Learning, Taylor's University, 2023 to 2024 (Advisor)
  • Institutionalising Purpose-led Learning through Impact Labs, Taylor's University, 2022 to 2025 (Project Director)
  • Programme Development for Taylor s Micro-credential Project, Taylor's University, 2021 to 2021 (Project Leader)
  • Implementing Taylor s Curriculum Framework for Taylor s College, Taylor's University, 2021 to 2021 (Project Leader)
  • Programme Development for Taylor s ODL Programmes Project, Taylor's University, 2021 to 2021 (Project Leader)
  • Committee member for Taskforce 3: Quality of Student, Programme and Institution, part of a national level Taskforce for Facilitation of Private Higher Education Institutions as an Industry (PEMUDAH IPTS), Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, 2020 to 2020 (Committee Member)
  • Developed Chapter 6 Innovation and Teaching Excellence of the national strategic plan Way Forward for Private Higher Education Institutions: Education as an Industry (2020-2025), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, 2020 to 2020 (Committee Member)
  • Institutionalising Multidisciplinary Learning Experience (MLE), Taylor's University, 2020 to 2021 (Project Director)
  • Committee member for Group no. 2 Developing Holistic Talent (in Malay: Pembangunan Modal Insan Yang Holistic) for MOHE s Strategic Plan 2020, Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, 2019 to 2019 (Committee Member)
  • Achieving AACSB Accreditation for Taylor's Business School Project, Taylor's University, 2018 to 2019 (Committee Member)
  • Taylor s Curriculum Framework Phase 2: Developing prototype and curriculum constructive alignment policy, guidelines and templates to enable outcome-based reporting (similar to iCGPA reporting), Taylor's University, 2017 to 2018 (Project Leader)
  • Taylor s Curriculum Framework Phase 1: Developing an enhanced Taylor s University Curriculum Structure Framework, Taylor's University, 2016 to 2017 (Project Leader)
  • University s Comprehensive Programme Review Project, Taylor's University, 2016 to 2016 (Coordinator)
  • Deputy President, Malaysian Higher Education Institutions Quality Assurance Network (a national association), 2016 to 2018 (Deputy President)
  • Chair of Workshop Committee, Organising Committee for a national Seminar on Internal-External Quality Assurance (SieQA), Malaysian Higher Education Institutions Quality Assurance Network (MyQAN), in partnership with Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), 2016 to 2017 (Committee Member)
  • QS World University Ranking and QS Stars University Rating Project, Taylor's University, 2014 to 2017 (Coordinator)
  • Deputy President, Malaysian Higher Education Institutions Quality Assurance Network (a national association), 2014 to 2016 (Deputy President)
  • Developed the national Guidelines to Good Practices: Monitoring, Reviewing and Continually Improving Institutional Quality, Malaysian Qualifications Agency, 2013 to 2014 (Committee Member)
  • World University Rankings Project, Taylor's University, 2012 to 2022 (Committee Member)
  • Academic Review Project for the university s undergraduate programmes, Taylor's University, 2012 to 2012 (Coordinator)
  • National SETARA rating for higher education institutions by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Taylor's University College, 2010 to 2010 (Project Leader)
  • Developing University KPIs Project, Taylor's University College, 2010 to 2010 (Committee Member)
  • Taylor s Academic Manual Project to develop the academic and governance policies for the new university, Taylor s University College, 2009 to 2009 (Project Leader)
  • Academic Performance Audit (APA) by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), Taylor's University College, 2009 to 2010 (Project Leader)
COURSE ATTENDED
(Course Title),(Course Mode),(Date/Duration),(Level)
  • 2U2I Briefing (by invitation only), Research, 07/03/2017 to 07/03/2017
  • Briefing on iCGPA to Deans & HODs in Taylor's University, Research, 10/01/2017 to 10/01/2017