Dr Ng: Introduce Tourist Guide in school co-curriculum

The children in Malaysia's top holiday islands — Pulau Redang, Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Tioman — will be given formal training on how to be top-notch tourist guides.

Described as a "new direction" for the tourism ministry, its minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the pilot programme will see the introduction of island tourism as co-curricular subjects in secondary schools on these islands.

"We want to transform the locals to be champions and guardians of the islands," Dr Ng said at a press conference during a tourism seminar held at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) this morning.

Dr Ng explained that locals make the best tourist guides, but they must be well-informed beforehand. "Some local guides only know how to direct you around the island, but are not knowledgeable on other detailed aspects.

"They need to know where the good diving spots are, the names of the trees and such," said Dr Ng. She related a bad experience she had with a poor tour guide during a visit to an island.

"The diving guide stepped on a coral. I scolded him, and immediately refused to continue with him as a guide for my dives. A good guide or instructor will not do that. Hence, we are proposing to introduce tourism as a co-curricular activity in schools. It is important to start educating school children from a young age," she said, adding that the subject will be introduced to children from the age of 13.

Dr Ng said she has already discussed the matter with Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the Education Minister, and it will be proposed in a cabinet meeting next week.

The minister expressed her optimism on the programme being given the green light, and said, "it will not be difficult."

Dr Ng said the programme, among others, will see the children trained to become good divers. Training, she said, will be provided by PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certified instructors.

She added: "They will also be taught foreign languages, such as Korean or French" which is equally important. "Not long ago I was at one of our islands and I saw a group of local youngsters loitering at a jetty. They were just hanging around doing nothing when they could have earned money by becoming tourist guides," said Dr Ng, adding that tourists pay a lot of money to good guides.

Dr Ng was present this morning to give her keynote address at the seminar, dubbed "Innovation and Creativity in Tourism: Transformation to High-Income Economy".

Source : MalayMail
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Tourism university to be built at Balik Pulau

A tourism university is being planned at Balik Pulau to provide skilled workforce to meet the growth of the country's tourism industry as well as boost development of the Northern Corridor Economic Region.

Finance Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had approved the project and an announcement on the matter would be made soon.

“The university will be built to train the workforce needed in the tourism industry in our efforts to provide quality service to tourists.

“It will offer courses related to the travel industry like hotel and catering, service and transportation,'' he told reporters after the opening of the Balik Pulau Umno divisional delegates meeting yesterday.

He said the infrastructure at Balik Pulau would be developed and upgraded, adding that this included the construction of a road network to link the second Penang Bridge to Balik Pulau.

“The RM200mil road network will link Batu Maung to Bayan Lepas, Bayan Lepas to Teluk Kumbar and Balik Pulau as well as Teluk Bahang to Balik Pulau,” he added

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

Grooming students for the Hotel Industry

STUDENTS of Kolej Disted-Stamford in Penang learned first-hand from a hotel industry expert what will be in store for them when they enter the working world.

Sunway Hotel assistant human resources manager Lawrence Ayerru briefed the students recently on the key traits, apart from paper qualifications, that the hotel sector looked for when hiring staff.

He said the hospitality industry offered exciting career opportunities but one must be prepared to put in time and effort.

“When working in a hotel, you may have the exhilarating experience of serving celebrities.

“Your hospitality career may also take you around the world as you can choose to work overseas.

“However, you must be ready to put in long hours. Typically, hotel workers work about 12 hours a day,” he said.

In the hotel industry, he added, personal grooming was important as it would leave a good impression on guests.

“So when you go for an interview, dress smart. Good communication skills in English are essential too."

He said there were a variety of jobs in the hotel industry related to areas such as the front office, housekeeping, food and beverages, human resources, public relations and finance.

Besides the talk, those attending the event also enjoyed watching demonstrations on cake-baking and fruit-carving.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

Tourism Sector generates 520,700 jobs in Three Years

BY THE year 2010 the tourism industry will offer 520,700 jobs to graduates – a significant increase from 451,000 in 2005, Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Donald Lim said.

“There is a demand for supervisors in the various areas in the hospitality and tourism sector,” he added at the launch of Nilai International College's BA (Hons) in Business and Hospitality Management Studies programme at the college campus in Putra Nilai recently.

Jointly offered by the college and its partner, Britain's Oxford Brookes University, the 3+0 LAN-approved programme can be completed at Nilai International.

Lim at the college’s Discovery Day. With him are the college’s chief executive officer, Datuk Gan Kong Hiok (right), its School of Business head, Alaz Goh (second from right), and actress Sheila Rusly, a guest judge for the culinary competition.

“Nilai International’s extensive hospitality facilities and proximity to a golf course with its potential of attracting international tourists, offer an ideal place to pursue a hospitality programme,” said Lim.

Lim added that the programme was in line with the Government’s objective of promoting higher value-added activities in the economic sector such as manufacturing, agriculture and services.

In the hospitality and tourism industry, he said, skills and knowledge must be accompanied by positive and progressive attitudes, values and ethics.

He said students should also take part in the various extra-curricular activities at the campus to build self-confidence.

The launch was held in conjunction with the college’s Discovery Day, which gave school leavers a broad view of academic pathways and career opportunities.

Among the activities were talks, demonstrations, international student performances, and an inter-secondary school culinary competition.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

Iron Chef-style dishes by students

As part of their final examinations, the second-year Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management (Hons) students, specialising in Culinary Art and F&B Management or Genie Culinaire, had to plan, envision and ultimately create an exquisite dish for four people from two surprise baskets of ingredients – a vegetable basket and a meat basket.

The students were required to utilise three compulsory French cooking techniques, while drawing on their own imagination and creativity to cook up something spectacular and present it in style.

The three techniques which the first group of students had to complete during their challenge on Monday last week were: trimming and frenching a rack of lamb, making roast gravy and cooking pommes anna (potatoes).

Test of skill: Jin spooning roast gravy over his lamb dish before serving it to the judges.

In addition, the students were assigned two commis each as kitchen helpers, and had to lead and direct their commis to complete several tasks throughout the challenge, including pre-paring a starter or dessert.

The panel of judges comprised a tasting jury and a production jury. The tasting jury evaluated the students' dishes based on taste, texture, temperature and presentation, while the production jury assessed the students' efforts in the kitchen based on criteria like accuracy of techniques, harmony and volume of food, time management, safety and cleanliness, and guidance of commis.

Besides the internal jud-ges comprising TCHT lecturers, there were external judges who included industry experts like Le Francais Restaurant head chef Jerome Deconinck, Dewina Holdings group executive chef Norafandi Abd Malek, Allegro Italian Restaurant chef Claudio Giovanni, Simplot Malaysia consultant chef Poobalan Suppiah and Hyatt Regency Kuantan executive chef Pari Subrahmaniam.

TCHT Cuisine lecturer and examination chief judge Norrizan Ramudin commented that most of the students in the first group had to improve on their food's presentation and seasoning.

Makings of a good chef: The main ingredients of being a good chef are: having strong product knowledge, choosing the best quality products, and mastering their culinary techniques to make sure the food is well seasoned and well cooked, says Brechet.

“These criteria are something the students are weak in due to poor time management. When they're in a rush, they don't have time to check on the finishing quality.

“They need to be more observant and refer to books to learn how to improve and be more creative, though they have to have their basic techniques.”

“Our programmes are based on the French curriculum because most of Western cuisine is inspired by French techniques, which are then adapted to their local culture,” said TCHT director of studies Fabrice Brechet.

“We provide opportunities for students to do their internship at local and international hotels and restaurants, and the internship programme covers about two to five months of their courses each year.”

TCHT offers various courses in Hospitality and Tourism Management through a partnership with the Academie de Toulouse and University of Toulouse, France.

“The main ingredients of being a good chef are: having strong product knowledge, choosing the best quality products, and mastering their culinary techniques to make sure the food is well seasoned and well cooked,” added Brechet.

Among those in the first group of Genie Culinaire examinations students were Louis Jin Di, Mohammad Fuad Ibrahim and Tey Yee Ling.

“I was very nervous before the exams, but I'm confident that I did better in the finals than the trials last week, in which the meat dish was chicken,” said Tey, 20, from Segamat, Johor.

“Our lecturers advised us to make sure that the food we serve to people is something we want to eat,” said Jin, 25, who hails from China.

More to learn: Babier briefing the students on the judges' feedback after the exam.

Mohammad Fuad's preparations for the examinations included reading cookbooks, going to his chef lecturers for advice, and seeking his seniors' guidance.

“Situations like this teach me how to adapt to a situation on the spot and be creative, and my internship experiences helped,” said the student from Cheras.

Though blind in one eye, the 23-year-old is not hindered by his disability; rather, he is motivated by it.

“My ultimate dream is to have my own business in the food industry, which includes having my own restaurant and catering company.”

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

Ministry plans tie-up with Tourism Malaysia for edu-tours

The Higher Education Ministry plans to link up with Tourism Malaysia to promote educational tours.

Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said edu-tourism was not well strategised in the past.

Now, there would be more emphasis to attract students and their families to visit local educational institutions, he said.

“Edu-tours are not only for students who are here completing a degree but also for those who want to pursue short courses.

“Many international students have been enrolling in local institutions to learn English, which proves that we can provide quality English courses,” he said when opening the Facon Education Fair 2007 here yesterday.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

Higher Education Ministry's plans to help boost tourism

The Higher Education Ministry has plans to link with Tourism Malaysia to promote educational tours in a bid to further promote Malaysia as an education hub.

Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said that 'Edutourism' was not a plan that was well strategised in the past, but more emphasis would be placed on it to attract both students and their parents to visit local education institutions.

"Many international students have been enrolling in local institutions to learn English which proves that we can provide quality English courses," he said at the opening of the FACON Education Fair 2007 on Saturday.

He added that these 'Edutours' were not only targeted at students who are here to complete a degree but also for those who wanted to pursue short courses.

Mustapa also said that this was a new market segment that they had to promote and they were currently making decisions to work with Tourism Malaysia to package such tours.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

Pastry making with French Chef at French Culinary School

THE French Culinary School in Asia and HTC in Asia presents its Pastry Master Classes for pastry enthusiasts in March.

Learn from award-winning French master pastry chef Jean-Francois Arnaud who will bring to Malaysians his novel ideas, techniques, textures and taste for 2007.

Arnaud, who was awarded the Meilleur Ouvrier de France Pâtisserie (Best Pastry Chef in France) is known for his training programmes and is among the most sought after in the world of pastry.

The four-day workshops designed for March involve practical training for those interested in gaining a professional pastry certificate.

Courses are from 9am to 5pm daily and only 15 participants are accepted into a group.

Fees are RM750 per workshop, which includes the professional pastry certificate, course manual and CDR with the standard recipes and pictures of the training.

A sliding scheme fee structure is available. Call 03-2026 9188 for details.

The workshops will be conducted at

The French Culinary School in Asia, HTC in Asia Sdn Bhd, 8th Floor - Annexed Block, Menara IMC, No. 8 Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur (next to Concorde Hotel, via car park lift to 8th floor).

Website : http://www.fcsia.com/

Workshop Information

March 3 Cookies and Petits Fours

March 4 Viennoiserie

March 10 All about Choux Buns

March 11 Art of Cake Decoration Sugar & Icing

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

KDU Cafeteria used for training

KDU College students are now spoilt for choice when they walk into its cafétaria, which has just undergone a RM2.5mil renovation.

The wide variety of items on offer ranges from pasta and salad to chicken rice.

Besides, the cafeteria – called KDU Square – is also a training ground for the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts, where its final-year students gain some real hands-on experience in menu planning, marketing and pricing.

Abdul Rahim (left) doing his training at the college's newly launched cafeteria.

Diploma in professional chef training student Abdul Rahim Abdullah, 26, said it was a challenging task to run the cafeteria.

“We have to do everything on our own. It’s like running our own business.

“It actually gives us a wider exposure compared with our industrial placement because I didn’t have a chance to go as far as planning the menu during my training at a hotel,” he said.

KDU College academic department head of culinary arts Suresh Issac Oliver said the cafeteria was a good training ground for the students.

“The student enrolment was getting higher and the kitchen for training was not enough, so we have to use the cafeteria as well,” he said.

Suresh added that the cafeteria would be fully run by students by end of March.

KDU Square head of department Fami Taufeq Fakarudin said he had also formed a team to manage the cafeteria.

“The team will go in and take over when the students have classes. We also have former students who have joined the team to gain working experience before entering the workforce,” he said.

Mass Communication student Neal Jansen said the cafeteria looked brighter and cleaner now.

Neal’s course mate Natalia Inani Norsalehe said the prices of the food and beverages at the five stalls were reasonable.

The college's principal officer and chief executive officer, Dr Chia Chee Fen, said the cafeteria was upgraded to attract more students.

“We have also built a stage where students can have dance and music performances,” she said.

Dr Chia added that she encouraged students to use the Touch ‘n’ Pay system, which was also launched on the same day of the opening of the cafeteria.

“When a student uses Touch ‘n’ Pay to buy food, the system will inform the kitchen staff on the amount of fresh stock required,” she said.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

SEGi hospitality diploma tailored to industry needs

INNOVATIVE diplomas in hotel and tourism management at SEGi College allow those interested in the hospitality industry to acquire a wide variety of skills.

The unique thing about the programme is the career exploratory programme (CEP) initiative. Under CEP, students are sent out to partner hotels, restaurants and tour agencies in the penultimate semester for practical attachments and training.

SEGi's Faculty of Hotel & Tourism Management programme co-ordinator Chandra Elilen says the programme reflects SEGi College's commitment to providing outstanding courses in hotel management and tourism.

"While doing CEP students will earn a salary."

Human resources and manpower play an important role in the hotel management industry, which is one of the world's biggest sectors.

It also offers a range of varied and changing employment opportunities and provides an excellent basis for work in other industries.

"Hotel management is a great choice for those seeking a job right after they finish their studies," says Elilen.

The Diploma in Hotel Management covers accommodation to management, marketing to food and beverage.

SEGi College offers exclusive opportunities for students to train in an environment that reflects the standard of places in which they will eventually work.

Elilen says the college had invested heavily in providing state-of-the-art facilities such as a bar, hotel rooms, a training restaurant and many others. The equipment used are of industry standard to ensure that students are thoroughly prepared and are career ready when they graduate.

The diploma emphasises a broad-based and provides hands-on skills with industryattachments and internships.

"We offer one of the most complete hotel management diplomas to our students. This is to ensure our graduates are of high quality and are competent."

SEGi College's Diploma in Hotel Management is recognised by the National Accreditation Board and the Higher Education Ministry.

"Students who enrol in our Diploma in Hotel Management can apply for the PTPTN loan. Besides, we offer a flexible payment scheme. Bank loans are also available."

A high-achiever scholarship fund for top scorers and underprivileged students is also available.

Students who achieve 10As and above will be eligible for a full scholarship.

Partial scholarships will also be granted to those who score eight and nine As in their SPM.

A rebate of RM500 for each A scored in the SPM is another financial incentive.

The diploma is endorsed and recognised by leading players in the industry, such as Summit Hotel, Hilton Hotel, PJ Grand Continental, Crowne Plaza, D'Borneo Hotel and the Ministry of Tourism Selangor.

"We welcome students from SEGi College who are placed in Summit Hotel. We are thrilled with our the collaboration," says Ron Singh, general manager of Summit Hotel, one of SEGi's partners.

SEGi College Malaysia's new flagship campus at Kota Damansara is in the final stages of completion and will be operational soon.

The campus has a capacity of 12,000 students and will redefine the meaning of SEGi's complete learning experience.

SEGi College's open day is on March 24.

For enquires, call Subang Jaya (03-86001888), Kuala Lumpur (03-20702078), Penang (04-2628127), and Sarawak (082-252566), email askme@segi.edu.my or log on to www.segi.edu.my.

Source : NST
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

One tourism academy for all

KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor wants to stop the proliferation of private tourism schools.

Commenting on the under-utilised Malacca Tourism Academy, Adnan said it was a mistake to allow the private sector to conduct tourism courses and training.

"We are thinking of running just one genuine school or academy that caters to all tourism-related courses," he said.

The ministry plans to open a tourism school and massage and spa academy that will be fully operated by the government to avoid misuse.

He indicated that privately run institutions, especially those offering programmes that are not accredited, may be stopped from offering tourism-related training.

Adnan said this at a hotel management contract-signing ceremony between Mudra Resources Sdn Bhd and Residence Hotels and Resorts Sdn Bhd for M-suites Hotel in Johor Baru.

Under the agreement, Residence Hotels will manage M-suites Hotel, which will be rebranded as M-suites Residence Hotel.

In Malacca, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the multi-million ringgit Malacca Tourism Academy (Akademi Pelancongan Melaka) was built in Jasin to boost the tourism industry in the district.

He told the New Straits Times yesterday that the rationale behind its was "to promote Jasin to tourists".

When asked if the location was deemed unsuitable as trainers from the academy had to travel from Malacca to conduct courses, Ali said: "The distance between Jasin and Malacca is not far, it’s only half an hour’s drive."

Mohd Ali said this when asked to comment on an NST report that the academy’s location had prompted many to question the justification to choose a site 40km from the city.

"It would have been better to build the academy in Melaka Tengah, it would not have gone to waste," said a travel agency operator who declined to be named.

To this, Mohd Ali said that distance should not be an excuse for the courses not to be conducted at the academy.

To date, APM had conducted 64 training sessions around the state and the academy had only been used for 21 in-house courses since its completion in August last year.

Other courses were conducted at hotels in the Melaka Tengah district, the Malacca City Council building and Dewan JEPERUN in Alor Gajah.

The academy’s manager Salman Salim said 43 courses were held in these hotels due to their proximity to the city.

Salman stressed that the "establishment of APM would not end up as a white elephant".

He said the academy had played its role to boost tourism in the district.

"We conduct food handling courses here as one of our core activities. This course is important to ensure that all Malacca food handlers are practising proper food hygiene.

"Our rooms and facilities are also being leased out for seminars.

"We promote tourism by giving out information on tourist attractions in Jasin, such as the Gunung Asahan, Asahan Lake and the Asahan Hot Springs."


Source : NST
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

Taking Hospitality Studies to a Higher Level

TAYLOR'S School of Hospitality and Tourism, one of Malaysia's largest educational providers for hospitality and tourism studies, recently announced the launch of the Master in International Tourism & Hospitality Management.

The specialised course is the first of its kind in Malaysia and is one of the few European postgraduate programmes in hospitality and tourism available in the Asia-Pacific.

Offered in collaboration with the University of Toulouse (UOT), the second oldest and largest university in France, the programme is designed to prepare graduates for potential upper level management and consultancy career opportunities in the international tourism and hospitality industry.

UOT professors will visit Taylor's to conduct specific modules.

They include Professor Dr Jean Pierre Poulain, a food sociology expert in France and Professor Dr Francois Vellas, director of the Economics of Services and Tourism Research Centre at UOT.

Taylor's Education Group managing director Datuk Loy Teik Ngan said: "The programme is designed to provide students with a strong balance between theoretical knowledge and professional exposure through course work, research, graduate seminars and a compulsory 20-week internship in companies anywhere in the world."

The Master in International Tourism & Hospitality Management is a two-year postgraduate programme offered on both a full-time and part-time mode.

It is open to bachelor's degree holders in hospitality and tourism as well as in other fields of study. Working professionals can apply by having their professional experiences validated by UOT.

Taylor's School of Hospitality and Tourism will enrol its first batch of postgraduates in April 2007.

For more information, visit www.taylors.edu.my, call 03-7877-9777 or e-mail yeap.emilymeifong@taylors.edu.my

Source : NST
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

Conference - Globalisation affecting Tourism, Hospitality sectors.

The conference was timely in boosting tourism for Visit Malaysia Year 2007.

“Globalisation is fast changing the tourism and hospitality industries,” said TCHT chief operating officer Pradeep Nair, who described the conference as another initiative taken by the school to strengthen ties with its international neighbours and partner university.

“For example, many exotic ingredients are now widely available.

“The travel industry has also evolved, with known destinations constantly reinventing themselves to meet the dynamic needs of tourists.

With Malaysia gearing up to welcome an estimated 20 million tourists during Visit Malaysia Year 2007, the event was timely as it provided industry practitioners, policy makers, academics and students with invaluable insights into current developments and trends in the food and tourism industry.

During the event, two forums The Asia-Euro Trends and Experience in Food & Gastronomy and West Meets East: Collaborating in Tourism, Culture and Education gave speakers and members of the audience a chance to interact and share ideas.

Fifteen lecturers from Taylor's also took the opportunity to present key findings from their research papers.




Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2007]

Hotel Industry Apprenticeship Scheme (HIAS) Stepping Stone to the Hospitality Industry

An edge to hospitality industry
BY TAN EE LOO

LIKE most of her peers, Zamsuzliana Ahmad did not know what to do after completing her secondary school education. When she spotted an advertisement in the newspaper on the Hotel Industry Apprenticeship Scheme (HIAS) programme for school leavers, she decided to give it a go and signed up for the programme.

Little did she know that that move would shape her career path and change her life forever.

Zamsuzliana was one of the students in the apprenticeship scheme organised by Taylor’s College School of Hospitality and Tourism (TCHT) in the late 1990s.

She has since moved on to become the sales manager of Dorsett Regency Hotel in Kuala Lumpur after gaining experience at various hotels.

Recalling her early years of learning the ropes as an apprentice, Zamsuzliana says the programme is a stepping-stone to enter the industry.

“You will not know if you are suited for it unless you try. That was what I said to myself when I finished school. Although my parents did not approve of my decision at first, they gave me time to prove myself,” says Zamsuzliana, 28.

Jointly offered by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Human Resources Development Fund, HIAS is a short, yet rigorous programme that provides school leavers with an opportunity to further their studies.

TCHT has trained more than 1,047 apprentices for over 78 hotels nationwide since 1997.
The duration of the programme ranges from ten to 24 weeks.

Successful applicants will be given free education, personal insurance and a monthly allowance of up to RM410. They will also be given a minimum one-year employment at participating hotels.
TCHT chief operating officer Pradeep Nair says the HIAS programme is specially designed for those who are interested in the hospitality industry but have no opportunity to further their studies due to financial difficulties.

“Our campus is equipped with facilities that mirror the real working environment and the programme is taught by full-time lecturers who have lots of industry experience,” he adds.
Students can choose from one of four modules such as accommodation practice (housekeeping), reception techniques (front office), food and beverage service and kitchen practice.

They will be awarded the Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia Levels One and Two by the National Vocational Training Council upon successful completion of the programme.

Participating hotels for next January’s intake include Sheraton Subang Hotel & Towers, JW Marriot, Dynasty Hotel Kuala Lumpur and Four Seasons Resort Langkawi.

Interested candidates can attend a walk-in interview on Dec 19, from 9.30am to 4pm, at Taylor’s College School of Hospitality and Tourism at Block C, Leisure Commerce Square, Jalan PJS 8/9, Petaling Jaya.

Applicants should apply with PMR or SPM qualifications (with a pass in English and Mathematics). For more information, call 03-7877 9777.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]

SEGi College's 3 New Tourism Courses

College launches new courses in tourism

KUCHING: SEGi College here has introduced three new tourism-related programmes to meet the expected growth in demand for skilled personnel in the rapidly-expanding industry.
The programmes are diploma in tourism management, diploma in hotel management and certificate in ticketing and reservations.

SEG International Group vice president Datuk Putit Matzen said the new programmes were timely given that tourism was a key sector in Malaysia’s economy with tourist arrivals expected to reach 17.5 million this year, generating an estimated RM34.6bil in revenue.

“Next year’s Visit Malaysia Year will herald some 20.1 million tourist arrivals with a target revenue of RM44.5mil.

“With the tourism industry growing so rapidly, it makes sense for students to take up a career in this industry,” he said when launching the programmes at the college recently.
Both diplomas are two-and-a-half year programmes and include internships with the college’s industry and hotel partners.

Those who have completed the diploma can go on to do a related degree programme at the University of Southern Queensland or James Cook University, both in Australia, or Britain’s University of Sunderland or Leeds Metropolitan University.

The certificate in ticketing and reservations meanwhile is a Skills Development Department (formerly National Vocational Training Council) programme. Students who successfully complete the programme will be awarded a Malaysia Skills Certificate by the department.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]

Hospitality and Tourism management courses in Colleges

More hospitality courses at colleges

08 Nov 2006

KUALA LUMPUR: With the emphasis given to the growing tourism industry, private colleges are introducing hospitality and tourism management courses to their line up of degree and diploma programmes.

Many of these hands-on courses will be introduced at the 21st Facon Education Fair 2006 next month.

Facon is held twice a year, in March and December, and more than 400 local and foreign higher learning institutions will take part.

Next month will see the participation of groups from Holland, Japan and Singapore.

Among those promoting their tourism courses will be KBU International College.

Best known for its certificate, diploma, pre-university and degree programmes in art and design, business, computing and Information Technology, multimedia and language studies, KBU is excited about its new Hospitality and Tourism Management programme, which begins in January.

KBU marketing manager Yap Chen Long says students who sign up for the course will intern for one semester at a new hotel to be launched next year under the KBU brand.

"We are also fostering partnerships with other hotels to give our students more choices," he said.

Informatics College is also treading new ground. In addition to the Information Technology programmes it traditionally offers, it is launching a tourism management programme next year.

The new course will offer students practical lessons at top resorts and hotels here at home and in Singapore, Britain, the Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.

"Our students will not only receive quality education, but an important cultural experience as well," said Informatics Global Education senior executive director Lawrence Wee.

With an established A-list of tourism-related courses at its Genting Inti International campus, Inti International University College has strong links to the hospitality industry.

After their graduate internship, many students walk out with a job in hand.

The college also holds its own annual job fair for final year students.

All three institutions offer scholarships and other forms of financial aid.

The New Straits Times and Nanyang Siang Pau are the official media for the fair which kicks off here on Dec 2-3 at the Putra World Trade Centre.It will travel to Alor Star on Dec 5, Penang (Dec 6), Ipoh (Dec 7), Malacca (Dec 8) and Johor Baru (Dec 10) from 12pm to 6pm. Admission is free.

News Source : NST
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news]