A group of hospitality students recently gained a real-world taste of the wine and beverage industry during a unique study visit to Wine Lab Saradise in Kuching. Surrounded by curated shelves of wine bottles and guided by an experienced sommelier, the students immersed themselves in an environment that mirrored the elegance and complexity of high-end food and beverage service.
The educational session was designed to bridge classroom theory with real industry practice, reinforcing the role of experiential learning in professional hospitality training. With the global wine market expected to grow to over USD 500 billion by 2030, understanding wine culture and service is a critical competency for aspiring hoteliers and F&B professionals, especially in Malaysia’s growing tourism and fine dining sectors.
SEGi College Sarawak organised the visit as part of its commitment to developing well-rounded graduates who are confident, culturally fluent, and industry-ready. The students explored wine origins, grape varieties, and winemaking processes while also honing key skills such as wine etiquette, food pairing, and tasting techniques — essential components of international hospitality standards.
What set the session apart was its interactivity. The sommelier’s storytelling approach and hands-on demonstrations sparked curiosity and deep engagement among students, creating a safe space to ask questions and participate. This approach aligns with global best practices in hospitality education, where skill-based and experiential learning leads to stronger career outcomes.
The visit also underscored the importance of soft skills like communication, cultural intelligence, and customer service — all vital for the hospitality industry, which employs 1 in 10 people worldwide. These competencies, paired with technical training, empower students to succeed in a dynamic, people-centred profession.
SEGi extends its sincere appreciation to the Wine Lab Saradise team for providing such a warm, professional, and impactful learning experience. Initiatives like this reinforce SEGi’s mission to connect students with industry and nurture professionals who are not only competent, but also inspired to contribute meaningfully to the global service economy.
This event is organised in support of the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
SDG 4 – Quality Education
SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
