Revised Programmes to Help Students Progress in the Industry
There are plans to introduce and implement all revised programmes for Fiji National University’s (FNU) Hospitality and Tourism programmes in Semester 1 2022.
These are programmes that have gone through a major programme review and will help students progress in their tourism and hospitality career.
As the current pandemic has changed the Hospitality and Tourism sector in Fiji, the College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies (CBHTS) is looking at strategies to upgrade the qualifications of its students.
Tourism industry
Head of Department – Food and Beverage Amar Narayan said when everything normalizes, students with qualifications will have the first chance to go back to the industry.
“The current pandemic has changed hospitality and tourism in such a detailed way that all programmes can now be taught online and if some students who are not able to access online are given assistance from our keen and supporting staff.
“I would say this is the new normal for the Hospitality and Tourism school at FNU,” said Mr Narayan.
Mr Narayan said over the years, the number of interested students in the Hospitality and Tourism programme have increased
He said now, the programmes are offered at our both campuses (Nasese & Nadi) compared to a few years back it was only offered in Nadi.
He adds this is one of the contributing factors to the increasing number of students.
“In the case of face-to-face class, all classes are conducted in the classroom and practical rooms (actual production kitchen, pastry kitchen and training restaurant).
“During this pandemic, all classes are conducted online with real-life practical application questions for all practical programmes,” said Mr Narayan.
Focus areas
Among several focus areas, students enrolled into the Hospitality and Tourism programme at FNU are trained on front office operations, housekeeping, accommodation, restaurant service, cookery and many more.
Mr Narayan said these key focused areas are to meet the demand from the industry which has made an impact on the programmes over the last three years.
He said all its programmes are tailor-made to suit the industry needs.
“Programmes that help and meet with current market demand will help students remain in the hospitality and tourism studies. This will also help in career progression,” said Mr Narayan.
The current requirements for the Hospitality and Tourism programmes are either a pass in year 10 or successfully completion of Years 11 and 12 or people with industry experience in the field of preferred study.