5 Reasons to Study Hospitality Management at Akilah
Akilah graduates and sisters Yvonne and Emmuella both work at Kigali Marriott Hotel.
It’s no secret that the hospitality industry in Rwanda is growing — fast. New hotels are popping up all over Kigali. Tourists are coming in record numbers to see the gorillas, hike the volcanoes, and spot Akagera’s Big Five. And conferences like the World Economic Forum on Africa and YouthConnekt Africa are selecting Rwanda as their host country.
Akilah prides itself on preparing students with the customer service, management, and leadership skills to take advantage of new hospitality opportunities. Here are five reasons why you should consider Akilah’s Diploma in Hospitality Management as the next step in your career.
Learn all areas of hospitality: At Akilah, you’ll learn everything about the hospitality industry. Students are required to study all areas of hospitality, ranging from food and beverage to customer service to front desk. When you graduate, you’ll have the skills to work within any hospitality department or in the customer service department of banks, airlines, schools, and much more.
Gain practical skills through experience: Akilah provides opportunities for students to develop real-world skills both on and off campus. Students practice new concepts in a hospitality lab that includes a true-to-life hotel room, restaurant, and bar. Outside the classroom, students must complete 20 hours of practical experience, though many go well beyond this. Students have been ushers at YouthConnekt Africa, hosted parties for the Belgian Embassy, and planned on-campus events. These experiences not only help students practice their skills but also build their CVs.
Master the industry standards: Students learn the latest industry trends, best practices, and tools, including industry software. For instance, you’ll learn Opera, a property management software used by most international hotels in Rwanda for food and beverage service, front office, check-ins, reservations, event bookings, and more. The software is common throughout the region and knowing how to use it will make you more competitive internationally. Akilah also works with employer partners, such as Marriott, Serena, and Kempinski, to ensure its curriculum reflects employer needs.
Develop your leadership potential: At Akilah, leadership courses and exercises are part of the curriculum. Students learn public speaking, problem-solving, and how to motivate their classmates towards a common goal during group projects. This leadership training prepares students to move quickly into management roles in their careers.
Improve your English: Akilah is an English-only campus so all courses and campus conversations must be in English. Not only will you improve your English, but you’ll learn terms related to the hospitality industry. You’ll also acquire skills, such as public speaking, conflict resolution, and tour guiding, that will help you succeed in the industry.