International Hotel Management Academy (Ihma) Launch On The Boards
View(s):Amid record tourism arrivals anticipated this year surpassing the 2018 record of 2.3 million tourists, a joint venture between Freudenberg Leisure Services Ltd, a renowned former shipping and hotel management company and Together with Youth (GTE) Ltd not-for-profit company has embarked on establishing a state of the art International Hotel Management Academy in the heart of Colombo at Dharmapala Mawatha Colombo 7.
The joint venture project is headed by the Chairperson of Freudenberg Leisure Pvt Ltd, Mrs Nelum Suvinitha Senanayake who is also the chairperson of the International Hotel Management Academy (IHMA), while the Together With Youth (Gte ) Ltd Chairman, Dilip de Silva, a veteran international tourism and hospitality human resource development expert who is heading the operations of International Hotel Management Academy (IHMA) as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Mrs. Suwanitha Nelun Senanayake, expressed her enthusiasm at launching the leisure-based academy in Colombo . When asked as to why she decided to venture into the field of hospitality, Mrs Senanayake explained, “ I can see that there is an urgent requirement in Sri Lanka as we do not have properly trained people since many have left for overseas opportunities, leaving a vacuum in the local hospitality industry. She added that those who have left Sri Lanka will acquire a vast set of vocational skills, industry-centric knowledge and invaluable experience while working abroad, which will be of immense value for the hospitality industry upon their return , creating a set of standards that will be on par with the rest of the world.
With the anticipated tourists arrivals this year to surpass 2018 record of 2.3 million generating a minimum of $4.6 billion as estimated by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Mr. De Silva raised the concern of industry organizations, the acute shortage of skilled manpower to provide quality products and services to international guests as well as to demanding local guests. De Silva who was the former Head of Tourism faculty at Charles Darwin University of Australia and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Skills Expert opined that it is paramount the Sri Lanka’s human capital development in the tourism sector is scaled up in keeping with the future demand in the coming years. De Silva who was former Food and Beverage lecturer and Chairman of Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) is in the opinion that all Tourism and Hospitality training organisations come under Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) in order to comply with national rules and regulations as well as maintaining international standards. Students who join the International Hotel Management Academy (IHMA) have the opportunity to have their internship training at leading international and local star-class hotels and resorts. IHMA has established partnerships with leading hospitality and industry organizations to provide IHMA students with quality experiences in their career development.
The international affairs of the Academy is headed by Godfrey Perera, former Ceylon Hotel School (SLITHM) Food and Beverage Lecturer and Fellow member of the Ceylon Hotel School Graduate Association. Perera who lives in Melbourne, Australia is a senior educator in Tourism and Hospitality Education and is also a Master Trainer with postgraduate qualifications in Tourism and Hospitality and international education with over 40 years of experience. Mr. Perera together with Dilip De Silva has successfully established partnerships with Culinary Solutions Australia International(CSAI), a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in Melbourne to offer Australian Certificate and Diploma programmes at IHMA. Students who complete the Australian Diploma programme at IHMA will be eligible to study at The Hotel School Australia to obtain Southern Cross University’s Bachelor of Business in Hotel Management degree over two years.
Upul Peiris, a graduate of the Ceylon Hotel School (SLITHM) with over 40 years of hospitality experience both in Sri Lanka and Maldives is heading the academic affairs of IHMA as Director Academic. Peiris worked for Aitken Spence Hotels both in Maldives and Sri Lanka. He was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Adaaran Resorts in Maldives overlooking seven resorts. Peiris also worked with an Australian government-funded project, “Skills for Inclusive Growth” (S4IG) project as a Senior consultant. Peiris who is a Director of Together With Youth (TWY) is actively involved in human resource development projects under the International Labour Organization (ILO) and International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The Soft opening of IHMA will take place on Friday 6th September during the Edex Expo at BMICH. Prospective students, parents, well-wishers and industry partners are welcome to visit the IHMA stall (81) to explore study options offered by IHMA under the guidance of expert trainers and academics. IHMA will host a seminar on 8th September from 4.00 pm to 4.30 pm at BMICH seminar room which will be facilitated by IHMA principles in Australia and New Delhi.
To book your seat please call, Chanaka can you put your phone number and mine +94767849939
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