"A good education is power. It is key to success and happiness. It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of education," said Bez Babakhani, the Acting High Commissioner of the Canadian High Commission when launching Nilai University College's latest degree programme – the Bachelor in Tourism Management (4+0 Thompson Rivers University, Canada). The launch ceremony was held at the Nilai Springs Resort Hotel on 12 March 2009 and was also attended by the Trade Commissioner of the Canadian High Commission as well as representatives from Thompson Rivers University.
Given that the tourism industry is the second largest foreign exchange earner and employs almost 10% of the entire workforce, administrators at Nilai University College (Nilai UC) thought it was imperative to introduce a degree programme in tourism to complement the existing Diploma in Tourism Management and Diploma in Tourist Guide Operations programmes and the numerous other hospitality programmes in its fodder. Hence, they began working with their counterparts at Thompson Rivers University in 2007 with a view to bringing their Tourism Management degree programme here.
"Despite the current economic climate, the tourism industry is one area where continued growth is expected. On the one hand, air travel is getting ever more competitive and thus more affordable. Although, some countries are in recession, Malaysia is still a reasonably affordable tourist destination. On the local front even though the numbers traveling abroad may fall, more people are expected to holiday locally. Whichever way you look at it, the tourism industry is the main beneficiary and it will need suitably qualified individuals," Dr Muhamad Muda, Dean of Nilai UC's School of Hospitality and Tourism.
Backing that view is the statistics. According to the World Tourist Organisation, Malaysia is expected to benefit considerably from the growth in the international travel market to earn RM59.4 billion by 2010. The World Travel & Tourism Council estimates that the industry will employ a quarter of a billion people by the end of this decade. Locally, the travel & tourism economy has already contributed towards 1.2 million jobs in 2008. These are staggering figures and manpower will be required to fill the many positions.
"The tourism industry creates jobs, earns foreign exchange and contributes to economic growth and development. In an increasingly accessible world and competitive economic climate, it becomes ever more important for those in the hospitality and tourism industry to provide excellent service at affordable prices. This Bachelor in Tourism Management programme is our commitment towards providing quality education at affordable prices and to fill that gap in the workforce with exceptional graduates," said Gan Eng Hong, Chief Executive of Nilai UC.
Continuing on this theme was President of Thompson Rivers University, Dr Kathleen Sherf. "In Canada, Thompson Rivers University has been a leader in the development of tourism education. This is the very first time we have agreed to offer the Bachelor in Tourism Management degree outside of our campus, and so today is really a milestone for both our institutions. I am very proud to welcome Nilai UC as our first international partner for on-site delivery of a university degree in tourism management from Thompson Rivers University."
She went on to say that this degree programme was an ideal opportunity for Nilai UC's tourism diploma graduates to continue their education towards a degree, in the same 2+2 format being offered at Thompson Rivers University. Students will also have the option to transfer to Thompson Rivers University at any point of time. This pathway will lead successful graduates into supervisory and management roles in the hospitality and tourism industry with career prospects in tour agencies, hotels, resorts, cruise liners and airlines.
Entry requirements to Nilai UC's Bachelor in Tourism Management programme are five SPM credits in English and Mathematics (or 5Bs in UEC or equivalent). This programme is ideal for form five school leavers looking to enter a degree programme straight away.
Students enrolling in this programme can look forward to a learning experience in Nilai UC's well equipped School of Hospitality and Tourism which features a formal dining restaurant, latest front office amenities and six specialist kitchens. They will also benefit from industrial exposure and placement at Nilai UC’s sister companies – Nilai Springs resort Hotel and Nilai Springs Golf and Country Club.
