I-TIM was featured in the Bangkok Post Learning Post on Tuesday 21st March.
Serving up skills and experience SUCHASINEE SUWANPANMANI
       The university entrance exam season is upon us, and many students will be thinking about their futures. While business administration and similar courses remain the top choice for many, Thailand's booming tourism and travel industry is also a big draw.
       While the direct route into this industry is often through entry-level positions in airlines, hotels, and travel agencies, one school is offering students an alternative way in _ that is, a hotel and tourism course aimed squarely at developing practical skills alongside academic ability.
       The school is the International Hotel and Tourism Industry Management School (I-TIM), located at Bang Kapi, Bangkok, and the courses on offer are a one-year certificate and a two-year diploma.
       Both programmes cover key areas of hotel, kitchen and restaurant management and housekeeping, but there are essential differences, says Peter Rudd, assistant director at I-TIM.
 "The diploma course combines both theory and practice in hospitality, and is designed for students who have no work experience," says Rudd. The one-year course, on the other hand, is more suitable for those with experience looking to further their career, he says.
Theory and practice
      Founded in 1988, I-TIM was the first education institute in Thailand to offer hospitality courses taught only in English. It now has more than 250 students enrolling each year. Of these, about 15 percent are from overseas, with a high-school diploma the only course requisite.
      Duangruedee Rochanakorn, a retired Thai Airways manager, is among the recent student intake at I-TIM. For Duangruedee, the training she receives at the school will be invaluable in acquiring entrepreneurial and hands-on skills.
      "Although I had been with an airline dealing with customers, I wanted to learn the skills necessary to start my own hotel operation," she says.
      Hotel management is a crucial part of the I-TIM curriculum. Students gain experience of all aspects of running a hotel, including restaurant functions.
      "Students need to focus on all aspects of food and beverage operations," says Rudd. These include inventory and purchasing, room service and even menu planning.
      The latter, says Rudd, is an art in itself. Potential restaurateurs have to think about the needs of the customer base as well as "marketing" the menu to diners, cost effectiveness and even nutritional requirements.
      "Etiquette and communication skills are also addressed to provide the students with the necessary social skills they need," adds Rudd.
      Practical experience is also important for both courses, he says. This is obtained through internships, which can be undertaken both within Thailand and internationally and run for six to 12 months. These are an integral part of the I-TIM courses.
      As such, students could find themselves in the US working for a Marriot hotel in Maryland, a spa in Hawaii, or a Landmark hotel in London. Alternatively, many students choose to work on cruise lines.
     "About 12 percent of our students are salaried interns at resorts or on cruise ships in other countries _ internships expose them to real-life situations," says Rudd. This experience will benefit them if they decide to pursue their education further.
With this dual emphasis on both theory and practice, I-TIM graduates can be assured of a bright future in this ever-growing business sector.