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Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
ONE of Mutare’s leading tourism and accommodation facilities, Manica Skyview Hotel has spread its wings to tertiary education after recently establishing a School of Hospitality and Tourism.
Christened Manica Skyview School of Hospitality and Tourism, the institution offers national certificate and diploma courses.
The certificate and diploma will cover courses in Tourism and Hospitality Management; Food and Beverages Services; Professional Cookery and National Foundation Certificate.
This is a new dawn for the institution which continues to make tremendous strides in the tourism and hospitality sector.
School authorities interviewed this week said enrolment is in progress and they are getting overwhelming responses from students and lectures who intend to be part of the new initiative.
The National Diploma (ND) and National Certificate (NC) courses will be registered under Higher Education Examinations Council (HEXCO).
Skyview director, Mrs Rachael Mugwagwa said the opening of the school is meant to have quality employees who will help to grow the hospitality and tourism industry.
“There are a lot of people who have a passion for the hospitality industry, but were not being given a chance to realise their dreams. Hospitality starts at home, the way we welcome our visitors, and we saw it fit to groom our children into true hospitality ambassadors. Some of the short courses are tailor-made to improve cooking and well as serving in homes.
“Some who wanted to pursue careers in this line of industry were being hindered by accessibility of proper training facilities, but this will be a thing of the past as the training is now being done at their doorstep.
“We are a one-stop facility as both theory and practical lectures will be offered.
“Attachment opportunities will also be availed at our facilities for us to churn out a complete student at the end of the course,” said Mrs Mugwagwa.
“We are in the process of enrolling and the response is overwhelming,” said the school’s administrator, Mr Peter Nyabawa.
“We will open on March 14, 2022. The classrooms are situated at the hotel where we have everything that is needed for both theory and practical lectures. We are getting responses from as far as Kariba. We are also getting enquiries from lecturers following adverts that we flighted in the Press. Enrolment is still in progress and we are urging people to apply in time since there are limited places.
“We don’t have many schools for Tourism and Hospitality in the province, so we decided to fill that gap. We are also diversifying as a business entity. We also want to empower students with practical skills in the industry. Let people come in, we train them, they get the skills and shine. Even without being formally employed, one can be self-employed after acquiring adequate knowledge from the competent team that we are building. We conducted some interviews (for lecturers) and we are happy with the outcome,” he added.
Skyview general manager, Mr Bernard Chinanga chipped in:
“We are quite happy with how things are proceeding. Enrolled students can be easily absorbed as employees at the hotel. We are continuing to grow in leaps and bounds.”
The hotel facility already boast of five conference facilities, a swimming pool, a state-of-the-art restaurant and a bar facility, among other facilities.
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