Educational tours have been incorporated into the curriculum of the SEGi School of Hospitality and Tourism to provide students with the opportunity to learn from industry players and gain first-hand experience. Students from Muhamad Irfan Bustaipo’s Introduction to Hospitality Industry and Event and Convention class recently visited the Ascott Gurney Penang on 7 March 2023.
The educational visit’s main goal was to improve student learning by incorporating new perspectives and providing valuable professional development experience. During the visit, students were given an orientation by the General Manager, Sharon Ang, who shared the history and background of the Ascott Gurney Penang as well as insights into the hotel’s operations.
Plenitude Berhad, a publicly traded company with investments in hospitality and property development, owns Ascott Gurney Penang, the first Ascott brand in Penang. The hotel has 271 modern apartments ranging from studios to one- and two-bedroom apartments and is located along the Gurney Drive promenade in Georgetown, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site and popular tourist destination in Penang.
The students also heard from Miss Sheila, the Housekeeping Manager, and Lim Mei Mei, the Human Resource Manager, who shared their inspiring experiences working at Ascott Gurney Penang during the pandemic. They emphasised the high-quality standards in the rooms and F&B divisions, establishing Ascott Gurney Penang as the island’s leading hotel establishment.
The educational visit was an eye-opening experience for the students, allowing them to apply classroom theories and knowledge to ensure competence in the field. The opportunity to tour the back of the house offices and hotel operations was also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the students.
The inclusion of educational tours in the curriculum of SEGi School of Hospitality and Tourism is a step towards improving student learning and providing students with the tools and experience needed to succeed in the hospitality industry.
