Tourism Management Institute of Singapore

THEY might have completed their university education.

But long-time schoolmates Loke Min Xiu and Tsai Wen Juan had a burning interest in the hospitality and tourism industry.

So they enrolled in the Tourism Management Institute of Singapore (TMIS), the official training arm of the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (Natas).

TMIS offers both degree and diploma programmes in tourism and hospitality management.

Min Xiu and Wen Juan, both 22, are pursuing the Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Diploma in Tourism, which they expect to complete next month.

The diploma, which takes five months to obtain, admits students who have completed secondary school or who have obtained the WSQ Advanced Certificate.

In June last year, Min Xiu obtained her Bachelor's degree in Geography while Wen Juan got her Bachelor's in History from the National University of Singapore.

Wen Juan decided to pursue the diploma after a positive experience in the food and beverage industry when she worked as a waitress at a restaurant during school holidays.

She said: 'I grew to like working in the service sector. The chance to interact with different people and learn about their cultures and stories is especially nice.'

Min Xiu's interest in the industry was fuelled by a tourism module she took in university.

'I enjoyed learning about tourists and how different cultures appeal to one another. So I thought following up on it would be great,' she said.

The pair, who were schoolmates in Chongfu Primary School and Yishun Junior College, got their feet wet with the WSQ's Certified Service Provider (CSP) programme offered by TMIS. They completed the five-day course in August last year.

Role-playing and quizzes ensured that they would relate what they learnt to real-life situations.

Said Wen Juan: 'Personally, I've high expectations of customer service personnel, so I know how I should handle situations and what to expect.'

Min Xiu, who has done some part-time work as a casher, said the role-playing helped her pick up tips on how to handle situations professionally.

They both hope to join the hospitality sector after they graduate from the diploma course.

Min Xiu wants to focus her attention on events management and the lucrative Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (Mice) sector.

Wen Juan is looking forward to working in the service frontline, doing what she likes best - interacting with people.

She said: 'I don't want a desk-bound job. I want the satisfaction of giving others a memorable experience.'

This article was first published in The New Paper on January 12, 2008.