A total of 28 students and staff from the Food Institute of Malaysia (FIM) participated in an Industry Exposure Programme at Courtyard by Marriott Setia Alam, aimed at providing students with real-world exposure to hotel operations.
The programme was organised by the Diploma in Hotel Management department and led by lecturer Nor Rafidah Adam.
It involved students from the Diploma in Hotel Management, Diploma in Food Service Management, Diploma in Pastry and Bakery and Diploma in Culinary Arts.
The programme aimed to enhance student’ understanding of the hospitality industry by bridging classroom learning with real workplace practices, while also providing exposure to potential career pathways in the field.
The programme began with a briefing session conducted by Human Resources Manager Brenda May Palermo, who shared practical guidance on preparing for the working world.
The session covered resume writing, selecting appropriate professional photographs and interview preparation techniques.
This was followed by a guided tour of several hotel departments, including the front office, housekeeping, food and beverage (F&B), banquet operations, swimming pool area, pool bar, staff uniform storage, and the hotel kitchen.
The visit allowed students to observe how each department operates and how all units work together to ensure the smooth running of hotel operations.
The programme continued with a question session with Chef de Cuisine Firdaus Zamani, who shared insights into the responsibilities of a hotel chef, the challenges of the industry, and the essential skills required to succeed in the field.
He also explained the experiences students can expect during their industrial training at hotels.
Courtyard by Marriott Setia Alam also shared information on internship opportunities and career pathways within the organisation, providing students with a clearer understanding of their future prospects in the industry.
The programme concluded with a token of appreciation ceremony for students who successfully answered questions posed by hotel representatives.
Among the recipients were Stone Alif Putera, Adam Haris Ahmad Jafri, and Nur Shakinah Mukaram, followed by a group photo session to mark the end of the programme.
Commenting on the programme, lecturer Nor Rafidah Adam described it as a valuable exposure for students at different stages of their studies.
She said the experience was especially beneficial for first semester students, as it provided early exposure to real hotel operations beyond classroom learning.
“Previously, students were only exposed to theoretical learning and institutional facilities.
“Through this visit, they were able to observe how different hotel departments operate in a real setting and understand operations in a more hands-on environment,” she said.