Taylor's School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events is thrilled to announce another significant partnership with Melia Hotels International that further solidifies commitment that geared towards enhancing career prospects through the Student Employment Programme (STEP) for undergraduate students pursuing the Bachelor of International Hospitality Management (BIHM) programme.
The event witnessed the presence of key figures from Taylor's University, including Prof. Dr. Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan, Executive Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Joaquim Dias Soeiro, Head of the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events; and Dr. Ruth Sabina Francis, Programme Director for Bachelor of International Hospitality Management (Hons). Representing Melia Hotels International were Mr. Alvaro Fernandez Lopez, General Manager of Melia Kuala Lumpur; Ms. Ada Jian, General Manager of INNSiDE by Melia Kuala Lumpur Cheras; Mr. Rayner Chew, Human Resources Manager of Melia Kuala Lumpur; and other delegates from both Taylor’s University and Melia Hotels International.
During the signing ceremony, Prof. Dr. Neethiahnanthan shed light on the transformative impact of industry collaborations on the future trajectories of budding hospitality professionals. He discussed the key insights such as revolutionizing talent recruitment methods in the hospitality sector to identify and nurture top talent effectively. Additionally, he highlighted the integration of sustainability principles into hospitality education to address global challenges and promote a responsible industry. Furthermore, it is important to embrace AI and technology in the industry and the need to equip students with essential skills. Prof. Dr. Neethiahnanthan also emphasized enhancing learning through project-based approaches to boost student engagement and outcomes by providing practical skills and experiences.
"Melia is a Spanish hotel chain, with 374 hotels spanning across 40 countries worldwide, operating under various prestigious brands namely Melia, Gran Melia, ME by Melia, INNSiDE by Melia, and Melia Hotels International. This collaboration presents Taylor's hospitality students with abundant prospects to propel their careers within these renowned Melia brands all over the world." said Mr. Alvaro Fernandez.
On the other hand, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Joaquim Soeiro expressed excitement about the partnership and said "Taylor's School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events aims to broaden the industry scope for our hospitality students, and this strategic STEP partnership with Melia Hotels International is a true testament to that."
STEP is a unique training programme that allows industry partners to identify students as a potential talent two years before they graduate. Through this avenue, members of the industry gain access to second year students who are taken onboard world’s leading hotels as student-employees and inculcated with the hotel’s business philosophies. This experience provides students with valuable industry insights and training before they graduate.
Through this partnership with Melia Hotels International for the prestigious Student Employment Programme (STEP) Fast-Track Career Pathway Programme, Taylor's students are looking forward to the unparalleled opportunities for talent development, immersive workshops, and engaging real-world case studies. This partnership is poised to propel students towards resounding success in their hospitality careers, further reinforcing school's commitment to nurturing exceptional talent in the industry.