Currently, the Sri Lanka tourism industry has impacted dramatically by the Covid 19 pandemic. Hence the Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management (Hons) Degree students of the Management and Science University (MSU) has taken a step in contributing towards recovering the tourism industry in Sri Lanka. Management and Science University is considered to be the 551st QS world-ranked university. Further, the Management and Science Institute is the branch established in Sri Lanka to provide higher studies for the students. This event was conducted under two phases. The first phase of the event was to provide awareness for the GCE A/L Students who are following hospitality and tourism studies. Under this phase, the undergraduates of Management and Science University have successfully shared their knowledge with the students regarding the tourism industry and how to overcome this pathetic situation to develop a sustainable tourism platform. The target audience of the awareness programme is the students of St. Sebastian Central College Katuneriya. According to the health guidelines given by the medical officers, the university has planned to conduct this workshop in Avenra Gangara Hotel in Wennappuwa. This was ended up in a high success where all the students who are studying hospitality and tourism, teachers and also the Principal Rev. Father. B.K.V. Eranga Rodrigo also participated in the event.
Management and Science university undergraduates filled this workshop with lots of information related to the tourism industry entertainment and developing the soft skills of the students. Moreover, this workshop was conducted for s with the Guidance of MSU & MSI President Prof. Dr Mohd Shukri, Vice-chancellor Prof. Dr Junainhah & The Vice President and the of Post Graduate Center Prof. Dr Ali Khatibi presence of Mr D.S. Peiris, the Director Management and Science Institute, Executive Chef of Avenra Gangara hotel, Mr Maxime Wickramasinghe, Director, Theme Resorts & Spas, Mr Suranga Thennakoon, Lecturer in Hospitality, Tourism and Events Management shared their knowledge among the students as well as among the undergraduates.
This event has provided the students with a broader view of the sustainable development goals related to the tourism industry, the current situation of the tourism industry in Sri Lanka, the ways to overcome this pathetic situation, main departments of a hotel like front office operations, food and beverage operations, housekeeping operations, Kitchen operations etc. Further, the undergraduates were able to share their knowledge on the tourism industry like tour guiding opportunities, travel agency and tour operations etc. Basically, the event mainly targeted providing the following objectives.
- A better understanding of the inner workings of the Hospitality and Tourism industry
- An increased interest in the Hospitality and Tourism industry
- Eradication of pessimistic ideas about being in the Hospitality and Tourism industry amid the pandemic.
- Inspiration to achieve career goals and revive the national Hospitality and Tourism industry
The second phase of this event was conducted at Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary. Anawilundawa is one of the high potential tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. Anawilundawa is located in Puttalam district in the North-Western province of the country between Chilaw and Puttlam. Anawilundawa is one of Sri Lanka’s six RAMSAR Wetlands because of its immediate proximity to three vastly different ecosystems: the coast, mangroves, and freshwater tanks. Hundreds of bird species use it as a nesting and breeding ground because of its special ecological environment. Since protecting this ecosystem would be a great investment for the Sri Lankan tourism industry as well as for the survival of all living beings including the human.
Management and Science University has focused on taking a step to protect this land by growing some mangroves under the guidance of the wildlife conservation department. This event was conducted aiming the community to provide a positive message on the value of protecting the environment for sustainable tourism development in Sri Lanka. Since the Sri Lankan tourism industry is directly linked with the environment. Therefore, to sustain this industry for future generations it is a must to protect the environment and the Management and Science University wanted to provide this message to the community as a responsible organization in Sri Lanka.
MSU currently ranks in the Top 100 among the world’s top young universities, Top 200 among Asia’s best universities, Top 301+ for Graduate Employability Ranking and Top 401+ for University Impact. Ranked by both Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and Times Higher Education (THE), MSU’s world rankings place it in the Top 47% of the world’s best universities in QS World University Ranking 2021 and Top 200 for impact on quality education, gender equality, and decent work and economic growth in THE University Impact Rankings 2020).
Besides Diploma and Degree of Hospitality & Tourism Management programmes, MSU’s offers key degree programmes that students can complete in Sri Lanka, MSU Malaysia or partner Universities worldwide including, Australia, UK, Japan and Germany.
MSU through their local learning centre, Management & Science Institute (MSI) offers students a wide range of Diploma programmes with the aims to develop the knowledge and skills of students while preparing them to obtain employment or continue their higher studies. MSI currently offers diploma and degree programmes in a wide range of interests including Hospitality and Tourism Management, Biomedical Science, Event Management, Business Management, International Business, Human Capital Management, MBA and PhD. Further information on the programmes can be obtained from Management & Science Institute (MSI) at No 300 Galle Road, Colombo 03 or contact us on 011 2576 644, 011 2576 700, Hot Line 077 0777 880, email enquiry@msi.edu.lk website www.msu.edu.my
