Leading Swiss hotel school BIHR (Bahrain Institute of Hospitality and Retail)
in the Kingdom of Bahrain accredited by HTMi Switzerland, a subsidiary of
Dadabai Holding, was established in 1999 to meet the local demand for
trained professionals by offering them locally relevant and internationally
recognised qualifications of highest standards. Nigel Viegas, Executive
Director, BIHR spoke to Hospitality Biz citing the programs and benefits
extended by BIHR to the Indian & international students.
Q What are the programs that Bahrain Institute of Hospitality
and Retail offer to students, and how these programs are
different from the relevant international programs offered across
the globe?
The HTMi Two Year Diploma in International Tourism and
Management Program offered at Bahrain campus has a wonderful
blend of the prestigious Swiss certification as well as BIHR’s
ethos in imparting skills and qualities essential to success in senior
management positions in the international hospitality industry.
The HTMi program develops the students into innovative leaders
ready to meet the standards of managerial competence in hospitality
management.
At our campus, we prepare our students to undertake internships
within the industry, where they work in both practical and supervisory
environments. Studies are both academic and practical as students
also work in kitchens, food service restaurants, and front office.
QHow international is your campus in terms of the nationalities
studying and the faculties?
BIHR campus is culturally diverse with international students,
faculty and staff. Bahrain has been ranked amongst the world’s top
15 most economically free nations and number one for expats. We
welcome international students from across the globe.
We provide international students with Swiss International Hotel
and Tourism Management course. We are the only institute in the
kingdom to provide the students with a visa. BIHR offers a caring
and supportive learning environment with limited students in each
class to provide highly individualised attention by experienced
faculty and high-quality internships. Currently, the institute has
a population of 200 Bahrainis and international students, with 16
different nationalities from Africa, Europe, Asia - Nepal, India, Sri
Lanka, Philippines, and Bangladesh and has placed over a thousand
graduates in the tourism and retail industries across GCC countries –
Kuwait, Bahrain, Singapore and Europe - Switzerland and is working
on a new opportunity, that will place student interns/ graduates to
the United States of America.
BIHR kick-started an exchange program for both students and
faculty with different hotel schools across the globe. This will
broaden the academic and social experience of students, and promote
alliances between host and overseas institutions while the presence
on campus of both exchange students and faculty members from
overseas partner diversifies the student and faculty population and
encourages local students the benefits of an international educational
experience.
QHow has been the intake of Indian students into your campus
over the years and what are your strategies to create more
pull in the market for your programs?
HTMi attracts Indian students to study at BIHR Bahrain.
The international five-star hotels are looking to hire talented
graduates, especially from Indian subcontinent as they believe
that these graduates have the passion, diligence, and the potential
in promoting the ‘right service’ in a professional and efficient
manner. The people of India are known for their hospitality and
dwell well in this field. The hospitality sector has a great career
path for those who have the willingness to work hard and offers a
variety of opportunities within itself.
The strategy adapted by BIHR are, Participation in Career Fair
and Educational Exhibitions; Partnership with IIHM and chain of
hotel schools in India; Active Social Media and Marketing.
QAre you looking at any kind of tie up or partnership with any
Indian travel, tourism, or hospitality institutes of eminence
for joint programs?
BIHR partners with IIHM and Indian Travel, Tourism and hotel
schools. BIHR recently signed partnership with IIHM; Dangayach
Group of Hotels in Jaipur, India; Speedjet Aviation; and VIRA
International Ltd.
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