IIHL to offer UK hospitality courses

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

The Institute of Hospitality Sri Lanka Chapter together with the Imperial Institute of Higher Education (IHE) launched Imperial Institute of Hospitality and Leisure to offer professional courses in hospitality for the first time in Sri Lanka.

The Imperial Institute of Higher Education is into the country's higher education sector for the past 15 years and the latest collaboration by the Imperial Institute of Hospitality and Leisure (IIHL) with UK's Institute of Hospitality which was launched on Wednesday will not only provide qualification but an improvement in the human resource quality, Institute of Hospitality Sri Lanka Chapter Chairman Roshan Perera said.

"In keeping with the growth in the economy there is a need to develop the human capital in hotel and leisure sectors as these industries have been identified as significant growth sectors in the country's economy," he said.

This is the first time that international management courses in certificate, diploma and higher diploma with the Institute of Hospitality (IH) UK was launched in Sri Lanka.

"This is an industry first for Sri Lanka where the hospitality and leisure sectors continues to attract a considerable amount of talents. For us, this is an opportunity to be a catalyst for professional development of industry personnel," Perera said.

"We are the first private organization in the whole of Asia to grant professional courses. The professional development courses offered in partnership with IH UK which granted the status of an approved centre. This is the stepping stone in the arena of hospitality training.

"We will be introducing craft courses in culinary operations, food and beverage service operations, accommodation operations and hotel operations endorsed by IH UK. The IIHL will also have a state-of-the-art induction kitchen that will add value to the craft courses offered," he said.

"The IIHL will alleviate the programmes to degree awarding and post graduate levels. The plans are in the pipeline and we are exited about the prospects.

While there will be increase in the number of professionals in the field of hospitality and tourism it will also fill the vacuum in the area of professionalism and professional management," he added

The programmes will commence in August and the institute will be expecting to accommodate 25 to 30 students for the initial batch which covers 12 separate modules representing critical areas in the hospitality sector. The IH UK is known worldwide for its prestigious status in the industry and its outstanding commitment towards industry development. It maintains a strong presence in the Middle East, Caribbean, Hong Kong, Europe and China.