The local Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University will cater to the rapidly growing needs of the hospitality and tourism needs with the introduction of the BCom degree programme in Hospitality Management in 2013.
Coupled with this, is the development of a fully-fledged hotel school on the university’s Second Avenue Campus in Summerstrand.
According to Business and Economic Sciences senior lecturer Prof Hendrik Lloyd, the infrastructure of hotel school will include both academic and commercial facilities.
“This comprehensive access to a state-of-the-art commercial hotel will substantially increase the learning experience of hospitality students,” says Prof Lloyd.
Aimed at assisting the global competitiveness of the local hospitality industry by developing world-class specialist hospitality managers, the curriculum for the programme has been developed in collaboration with a wide range of role-players within the hospitality industry, both nationally and internationally.
Students will receive comprehensive education in aspects of economics, business management, financial accounting, information systems and logistics, operations and marketing management, with particular reference to hospitality and tourism establishments.
“In addition, students will be familiarised with hospitality facilities and the more practical aspects of hospitality operations management, including food and beverage management, front office, housekeeping, events management and various legislation,” says Prof Lloyd.
Development of the four-star boutique hotel will be outsourced.
Prof Lloyd says the degree programme will start even if the hotel facility is not fully operational.
