Mount Kenya University (MKU)’s students of travel, hospitality and tourism have benefitted from a public lecture by an expert from Australia on global trends and requirements for workers in the sector.
On Monday 14th October 2024, the School of Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management at MKU Main Campus in Thika town hosted a distinguished guest from EUHOFA, The International Association of Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism Schools in Australia. Mr. Gerald Lipman is a representative from one of the world’s leading hotel schools.
His insightful talk focused on the essential components of quality hospitality education and the importance of producing well-rounded graduates for the global hotel industry. MKU is a member of EUHOFA, a non-profit association of hotel school directors and deans of hospitality colleges and universities who meet and work continuously to ensure the highest quality of education in their institutes.
Lipman, who has visited other colleges in Kenya in the past, said the top hotel schools are not only ranked as the best hotel schools globally, but also operate one of the top-rated hotels in the world. “This stellar reputation is built upon a commitment to delivering academic excellence, practical training, and professional integrity to students,” he said.
The expert also highlighted the significance of blending classroom learning with hands-on experience, known as “placement.” He said different countries offer varying environments for placements, with Australia being a notable example due to its competitive pay rates, where students can earn more than A$23 (US$16 or Ksh2,071) per hour.
“However, securing placements in large cities can be challenging and costly,” he said.
The speaker emphasized that a good hotel graduate should possess three key attributes: good skills, academic papers and professionalism. “Graduates should be adept at performing core hospitality tasks such as table service, setting tables, serving food and drinks, cleaning rooms and tables, and even checking guests into rooms,” he said.
Additionally, learners should be well-versed in critical areas such as management accounting, finance, marketing, and strategic management. “Schools should ensure that the skills taught match the current industry practices, allowing students to cross-check what they learn during their placement with real-world experiences,” he said.
Finally, a key aspect of professionalism involves working harmoniously with colleagues, showing respect to customers, and effectively interacting with senior managers, he added.
The session provided students with a global perspective on the hospitality industry and encouraged them to strive for excellence in both their academic and professional lives.
EUHOFA INTERNATIONAL is a non-profit association of hotel school directors and deans of hospitality colleges and universities who meet and work continuously to ensure the highest quality of education in their institutes. It is governed by statutes and administered by a board representing schools and countries from the five continents.
EUHOFA was originally founded in 1955 by hotel school directors in the Alpine countries Austria, Switzerland and Germany in order to be informed about the latest trends and developments in the hotel industry so they could discuss its impact on hospitality education.
