Design by Joey Lok & Alefiya Hassanally

On the morning of July 3rd, Lecture Theatre 12 at Taylor’s Lakeside Campus began to fill with familiar faces—students in crisp formal wear, invited guests, staff members, and supportive friends clutching bouquets. As the clock neared 10 a.m., a sense of quiet anticipation swept across the room. This was no ordinary Thursday. It was the Taylor’s College Student Council (TCSC) Commissioning Ceremony for Term 2025—a day to honour the past and welcome the future of student leadership.

This annual ceremony marks more than just a change in office—it represents continuity, legacy, and the spirit of student-driven change. It’s a space where each outgoing committee’s efforts are acknowledged, and where a new team steps into the spotlight, ready to shape campus life in their own way.

The ceremony began with an opening address from Ms. Josephine Tan, Campus Director of Taylor’s College. Her speech, calm and grounded, was a call to responsibility. “To be a student leader is to be entrusted with more than just tasks,” she said. “It’s a platform to raise voices—not just your own, but those of your peers who look to you for guidance, safety, and representation.” She reminded the newly appointed council that true leadership often requires tough judgment, silent resilience, and personal growth. “You may not always be the loudest or the most well-liked,” she added, “but you must strive to be the most principled. Let wisdom—not popularity—be your anchor.”

Her words hung in the air as Ooi Yan Jin, the outgoing TCSC President for Term 24/25, stepped up to speak next. With a calm, steady voice shaped by experience, he offered not a roadmap, but a reflection. “You’re not here to fill my shoes, nor follow in my footsteps,” he said. “I don’t even want you to. Honestly, you probably can’t—our shoe sizes are different.” His light humour was met with laughter, but his message ran deep. Leadership, he said, is not about emulating the past but about creating your own legacy. “You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be present. You were chosen for your light—let it shine.”

Following the speeches, the audience witnessed the symbolic handover ceremony, where the outgoing council passed the baton to the new term’s Executive Committee and departmental members. The transition was marked by the presentation of letters of appointment and the recitation of the Commissioning Oath, a solemn pledge led by each departmental director that binds each member to serve with integrity and dedication.

There was a poignant pause during the token of appreciation segment, where the previous term’s EXCO/BODs and guests of honour were acknowledged for their service. It served as a reminder that leadership is often a quiet grind of emails, logistics, decisions. Yet, each term leaves behind something tangible: a slightly better, more connected student experience.

Taking the stage next was Mr. Janaronson Nagarajah, Director of Student Development, whose speech took a more philosophical turn. Through the story of three bricklayers, each describing their job differently, he illustrated the power of perspective in leadership. “Some may say they’re just fulfilling tasks,” he noted, “but great leaders see the bigger picture. Whether you choose to further your studies abroad or continue your journey here, show the world that great leaders can come from Malaysia.”

The spotlight then turned to Keiff Wong Zi Yuan, the newly appointed TCSC President for Term 25. In his first address as president, Keiff stressed adaptability and courage. “Our strength is in our differences,” he said. “Never hold back on what you want to do or what you can do. Keep going—and never stop.” His message, simple yet powerful, signalled a term ready to embrace challenges, new ideas, and a changing student landscape.

With the formalities complete, the ceremony drew to a cheerful close with a lunch reception, where the atmosphere relaxed into easy conversations and celebratory hugs. Supportive friends handed over flowers, photos were snapped at every angle, and the new council members—some still visibly taking in the weight of their roles—began their journey not with loud declarations, but with quiet resolve.It was, at its core, a moment of passing—and of promise. 

Follow the journey of TCSC's new terms at @tcscstudentcouncil.