10 students of Diploma in Hotel Management (DH) under the Taylor’s Culinary Institute were honored to take part in an inspirational World Conference named “Olave Baden-Powell Society (OB-PS) Conference”. OB-PS started in 1984, with more than 1600 members span across 60 countries today, it is a global network of World Association of Girl Guides and Girls Scouts (WAGGGS) supporters formed to provide financial support to WAGGGS. Nevertheless, WAGGGS are the largest voluntary movement dedicated to empowering girls and young women in the world.
The OB-PS conference is held annually around the world, in which members who share a common interest gathered to fund WAGGGS in sustaining its various initiatives, projects, programmes, and services. This year, the conference was held in Genting Highland for 3 days from 12th to 14th October, and it was the first OB-PS conference held in Malaysia with the presence of Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah as the Royal Benefactor and Organizing Chairman of the conference; and Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah was also present in the conference. In addition, the Regent of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and the Prime Minister’s wife, YB Dato' Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Binti Wan Ismail were also invited.
On 12th October, the Diploma in Hotel Management students were welcomed by the Resorts World Genting Human Resources team and were brought to a site visit at the Grand Ballroom @ Genting International Convention Centre (GICC), which has hosted several world’s most prestigious events over the years. Spanning 4 halls and 26,000 sq ft, the Grand Ballroom is flanked with additional 3 halls, 1 VIP room, reception areas and grand foyers. The students were then briefed and trained by Mr. S Kuhathasan Sivathasan, Director of Food and Beverage on the VVIP service for the following day.
During the VVIP service day, the students helped in transforming the ballroom into a grand buffet lunch venue for the VVIP with red carpets. Each student was assigned to 2 tables during the lunch session, which they learned to be more attentive and improve on their multitasking skills. In the evening, the students also helped in mocktails and beverages service. It was an all-round the clock service for DH students on the day, from morning tea-break to evening mocktails service that required a definite amount of focus and strength to do it.
During the last day, the students were taken on a Familiarization Tour (FAM) to First World Hotel’s Laundry Department to check out on the multi-million set-up and technology involved in processing an average of 60 tons of laundry a day. The FAM also included the visit to a 2-football fields size Central Production Kitchen that housed the ‘Lobster Hotel’ for Burger & Lobster and ‘Aged Care Center’ for Wolfgang's Steakhouse.
In addition, the students were also brought on a tour to visit the different rooms available in the Crockfords Hotel, which is one of the most luxurious hotels mentioned in Forbes Travel Magazine. Students were all impressed by the modern and sleek interior design of the hotel rooms. It was a new and memorable educational experience for the students.
