Bachelor of Arts in Tourism and Hospitality Management (BATHM) at Dhaka, Moulvibazar and Sylhet – 8th – 11th January 2002
IUBAT—International University of Business Agriculture and Technology has launched a new initiative for a 04 year program on Bachelor of Arts in Tourism and Hospitality Management (BATHM). Toward this initiative, IUBAT Faculty, Mr Mitul Mahmud Khan and Admissions Officer, Ms Farida Yasmin recently visited Sylhet, and undertook counseling among the student community as well as guardians. The visit was supported by a group of local patrons comprising of academicians and other elites of Sylhet, having affiliation with NAID, a Cardiff based charity involved with IUBAT in developing the BATHM program in the UK and Bangladesh.
A counselling conference was organized by the local patrons at Sylhet Press Club on August 11, 2001 in order to introduce IUBAT among the members of the public in Sylhet. In his welcome speech, Mr Mitul Mahmud Khan, introduced IUBAT as the first non-government university in the country with an overall mission for human resource development through teaching, training, and guidance, as well as expansion of knowledge base of the student community. He also said that since its establishment in the year 1991, IUBAT has earned a reputation for quality education in the filed of business, computer science, engineering, agriculture, and other specialized disciplines both at home and abroad. In line with its commitment of providing education of international standard, IUBAT is going to offer a 4 year program on Bachelor of Arts in Tourism and Hospitality Management (BATHM), which would offer an opportunity to the student to spend 6 to 9 months in practicum program in Europe and placement in the UK. The university is recognized across the world for credit transfer and higher studies having links with 34 universities in Europe, America, Canada, Australia, South and South East Asia.
Ms Farida Yasmin, Admissions Officer said details about the BATHM program including admission procedure, academic calendar, fees, and other areas of common interest. The first semester of the new initiative will commence from September 02’ 2001, she mentioned. She advised the interested students to contact the university admissions office regarding any information that may be deemed necessary regarding the course and other admission formalities.
Among others, Prof M A Aziz, Treasurer of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology spoke on the prospect of BATHM program. He particularly emphasized the need for developing skilled personnel in Tourism and Hospitality Management as the world is moving very fast in this sector. Moreover, as Tourism and Hospitality management has been developed as an international industry with the largest workforce, we must enter into this field with appropriate skill and diversity, since Bangladesh has a large restaurant industry base in the UK.
Mr A. K. M. Gausul Alam, an eminent business personality of the country urged the students to attach special priority to develop their communication skills in English. Lack of ability to communicate in English poses one of the most difficult situations for the students. He also said that English is required in every sphere of life and their failure to communicate properly in English may restrict their opportunity for career building. IUBAT, with English as the medium of teaching, is a unique center for developing the English language skill of its students, he mentioned.
Mr Shamsul Alam Chowdhury, President, Muslim Shahittay Shangsad, also spoke on the occasion and urged everyone to take full advantage of the BATHM program offered by IUBAT and be skilled for employment in the UK and other countries, including Bangladesh.
In his concluding remarks, Mr Mohiuddin Shiru, famous social worker and educationist of the country, explained that IUBAT is going to open opportunity to Bangladeshi as well as other nationals to acquire education, knowledge and skill in the field of Tourism and Hospitality Management, which would have a tremendous job opportunity around the world in the years to come. NAID based in Cardiff, UK will organize for job placement of BATHM graduates in the restaurant industry in the UK owned by Bangladeshis. He also stated that restaurant industry in the UK is facing manpower shortage and the BATHM graduates would be able to fill-in the vacuum there.
