GROUP PHOTO: Madam Mukvinder Sandhu, the Chief Operating Officer (front row, third from right) receiving souvenir from Mr. Gary Lee, the General Manager of Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur (front row third from left) in a group photo.

SHARING SESSION: The interactive sessions between Mr Gary Lee, the General Manager of Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur and the students on the latest trend in the hospitality industry.

KUCHING: A group of hospitality experts from the HPL Group, consisting of the General Manager of Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Mr Gary Lee; the Vice President of Human Resources of HPL Hotels and Resorts; and the Hotel Manager of Casa del Rio Melaka visited UCSI University Sarawak Campus. 

The main objective of the visit was to have a meeting on potential collaborations between HPL Group and UCSI University for a better synergy in providing platforms for the hospitality graduates in securing better career opportunities in the industry. 

The meeting involved a discussion on the career pathing for the students when they enter the university to ensure that they are well prepared for the industry upon graduation. 

The collaboration between HPL Group and UCSI University will emphasise on providing a better curriculum for the students, bringing in more industry experts in order to enhance the students’ experiences and knowledge on the latest trends in the hospitality industry, and the practicing of the Praxis® model to enhance the students’ engagement with the industry. 

Apart from the meeting, a talk on “Today’s Hospitality Challenges – Managing Hospitality Services Talents” was also conducted by Mr Gary Lee, the General Manager of Concorde Hotel with Mr Kumar, the Vice President of Human Resource, HPL Group and Mr Aaron Nelson, the Hotel Manager of Casa del Rio Melaka. 

During the talk, students were given a chance to interact with Mr Lee and his colleagues on the challenges that they may encounter when they enter the industry. Mr Lee also shared with the students on how to close the gap between generations and how the hotel manages today’s talent. 

HPL Group is a hospitality management company operated and wholly-owned by Singapore listed company, Hotel Properties Limited. HPL Hotels & Resorts currently has 11 properties in Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean. It operates from Singapore and manages the activities of its hotels and resorts, which include Concorde Hotel Singapore, Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Concorde Hotel Shah Alam, Concorde Inn Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Hard Rock Hotel Penang, Hard Rock Hotel Bali, Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya, Casa de Mar – Langkawi, The Lakehouse – Cameron Highlands and Casa del Rio – Melaka. 

HPL Group and UCSI University are committed to work together towards a better education and to ensure that the students of the hospitality programme are well prepared for the industry. 

UCSI University Sarawak Campus offers degree programmes in Commerce, Event and Tourism Management as well as Hospitality Management and diploma programmes including those in the fields of Hotel Management, Culinary Arts and Leisure Management. The Centre for Pre-U Studies offers Foundation in both Science and Arts leading to various degree programmes across campuses. 

For more information on the events and courses available in UCSI University Sarawak Campus, please call 082-455255 or visit www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my.