IHG partners Taylor’s University in Indonesia

SINGAPORE – IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) formalized a strategic partnership with Taylor’s University for the Indonesian chapter of the Student Employment Programme (STEP) and the Future General Manager Programme (GeM) in the neighbouring ASEAN nation.

 

These two programmes, landmark initiatives by the Taylor’s University School of Hospitality, Tourism & Culinary Arts (TCHT), were conceptualised to ensure that its students are exposed to the needs of industry as they study at university. Through these programmes, selected students will undergo a structured internship programme at the partner hotels through the duration of their studies.

 

This collaboration with IHG is Taylor’s University’s second such partnership in Indonesia. The partnership between IHG’s hotels in Indonesia and Taylor’s University comes off the back of the first agreement that was inked between the university and IHG’s hotels in Malaysia last year, a move made possible due to IHG’s support in the development and empowerment of the next generation of hoteliers. 

 

The selected students participating in these two unique talent development initiatives would be able to impact the local tourism sector upon graduation, thanks to a proper grounding of the hospitality industry received during their tertiary education with Taylor’s University. 

 

Taylor’s University Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr. Pradeep Nair said the strategic collaboration is testament to the potential of the individuals who are adopted by global industry brands such as IHG.

 

“At Taylor’s University, we have a strong link with Indonesia as TCHT has the highest number of Indonesian students studying hospitality, culinary and tourism at bachelor degree level in Malaysia.“
 

“A strategic partnership with a global brand such as IHG will allow us to mould and groom our students from Indonesia to be the potential talent pool for the Indonesian tourism industry as they complete their higher education with us. IHG currently operates 20 hotels in Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Surabaya, Bali and Batam and plan to operate another 24 hotels in the next three to five years in Indonesia. We are privileged to be able to assist with developing our bright, young students to be a part of this thriving industry here in Indonesia,” said Professor Dr Pradeep.

 

He also added that through the STEP & GeM initiative, an estimated 100 TCHT students who are selected to undergo the programme with IHG will be able to have first-hand industry insight, which will be extremely relevant to their future career. In addition to that, they will receive the best in hospitality management education from Taylor’s through the classes and training at Ruemz Hotel, Taylor’s University’s very own teaching and innovation hotel on campus.

 

“Talent recruitment and development is a key focus for us in IHG and partnerships such as this one with Taylor’s University give us great opportunities to start cultivating these future leaders early,” said Anil Pathak, Area General Manager, Java, Indonesia. “Across our hotels we’ve worked with, and subsequently employed, a number of students of high calibre who have demonstrated great potential from Taylor’s University, and we are delighted to again be working with them to place students from the programmes in our hotels in Indonesia.”

 

Taylor’s STEP programme was initiated in 2010 and, GeM in 2012. To date, a total of 210 students have enrolled into these programmes at the 8 partner hotels of both initiatives and the programmes have also resulted in 98 students graduating and moving on to hold senior managerial positions in hotels around the world.

 

Under the STEP partnership, IHG will select students from the Bachelor of International Hospitality Management (BIHM) for a vocational internship in its hotels in Indonesia. In addition to receiving the best in hospitality management education from TCHT, they will receive guidance by IHG via specially designed training sessions, workshops and seminars whilst undergoing their degree at Taylor’s.

 

In addition, three students from the BIHM programme will be working with IHG under the GeM programme. These students will be equipped with the knowledge, skills, abilities and characteristics that will prepare them to for roles as future hotel leaders through a host of development activities created with the support of the partner hotels. The GeM programme is unique as it is a comprehensive management and leadership development programme that focuses on identifying the key competencies of a successful General Manager.

 

Students are selected based on stringent criteria in the areas of their academic qualification, industry experience as well as personal character.