Hospitality pioneer on a roll
WHEN it comes to the Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts industry, KDU University College (KDU UC) has already made an indelible mark.
In 1987, the School of Hospitality, Tourism & Culinary Arts (SHTCA) was one of the pioneering pillars of KDU University College, with a 25-year history backed by proven experience, recognition, accolades and awards.
The SHTCA houses two departments (Culinary Arts and Hospitality & Tourism) with a host of programmes and boasts of a long-standing partnership with the IMI University Centre (IMI), Lucerne, Switzerland. This enables the school to offer IMI programmes locally, making it the only Hospitality, Tourism & Culinary Arts School in Malaysia that offers a complete Swiss experience.
In 2011, the SHTCA became a proud associate member of The International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education (THE-ICE), making it the first school in Malaysia to attain such a standing. As an independent, non-profit organisation, THE-ICE serves to recognise, develop and promote excellence in tourism, hotel and event education and its members include world-leading universities, private hotels and vocational colleges.
In addition, the SHTCA was also awarded the WACS (World Association of Chefs Societies) Recognition for Quality Culinary Education. SHTCA students have often participated in major competitions and a proud moment was when its culinary students brought home two bronze medals at the 2012 Food and Hotel Asia culinary competition.
The SHTCA is now in partnership with ALMA, the world’s leading international educational and training centre for Italian cuisine. KDU will be the first to offer the Master Chef certification in Malaysia on teaching and delivery by such a renowned institution.
ALMA has specially designed a Master Chef certification for SHTCA culinary lecturers based on teaching and delivery of culinary classes in tertiary education.
Its modules cover skills and competencies of professional lecturers of cuisine, pastry and academic topics. To facilitate the smooth transfer of teaching skills, ALMA will provide a specially selected team of teaching staff with the right training and exposure in order to help them guide and impart their knowledge skills to students.
Students will receive a dual-qualification upon graduating with a Degree in Hospitality Management or Culinary Management from KDU UC. Courses are 70% hands-on so students get a feel of working in the real world. Also, professional chefs and creative kitchen planners are often invited to conduct classes, talks and workshops.
As students are required to attend language studies in German and French, KDU UC ensures such classes are conducted by professional native language lecturers. Its Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality is the only course in Malaysia to offer a major in Corporate Communication. Field trips are often organised because it is believed that learning should go beyond the classroom. Students can only broaden their knowledge and experience when they get a first-hand feel of how the industry works.
Besides that, students are required to organise events that benefit both society and the environment. The school recently held a Go Bald for Cancer campaign as well as a Blind Leading the Blind event to help raise funds for charitable organisations.
The SHTCA has definitely come a long way. Over the years, it has been honoured with numerous certifications, accolades and awards, all of which are testament to the school’s delivery of quality education as well as achievements of its staff and students.
KDU University College, a member of the KDU Education Group, is a pioneer and leading provider in the field of private tertiary education since 1983. The KDU Education Group is a fully integrated education services provider, from primary and secondary, both local and international, through till undergraduate and postgraduate levels and executive and professional development programmes.
The KDU Education Group is the education arm of Paramount Corporation Berhad, a public company listed on the Main Market of Bursa Securities Malaysia Berhad with diversified business interests including property development and construction
For details about the programmes and activities at KDU University College PJ, call 03-7728 8123 / 03-7953 6688, e-mail best@ kdu.edu.my or log on to www.kdu.edu.my