Last April 26, 2023, the Industry Experts Forum – Stakeholders Advisory Board Consultation Meeting, also known as the IndEx SABC Forum, was held at Mancom Room, FEU Admissions Building. It is an annual event of the Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (ITHM) in collaboration with the Academic Affairs Office, where invited Industry Experts assess the curricula and provide advice on what the industry expects of the students once they graduate. This year’s event theme is “Moving Forward in Tourism and Hospitality Education through Sustainability and Innovation.”
The Department Chairs presented the program curriculum, the institute’s strategic plans, and the events and tours participated by ITHM students locally and abroad. Following that, the Industry Experts stressed their expertise and insights. They emphasized the importance of interpersonal skills, not just traditional and non-negotiable skills. Students must also be adaptable and flexible because the epidemic significantly altered the job descriptions for most jobs.
Additionally, they recommended that the curriculum include courses on sales and marketing, waste management, supply chain management, risk management, and laws and existing policies. These subjects will enable students to be well-rounded. Lastly, they emphasized that the institute must constantly aspire to provide quality education to students as they are the future of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
FEU-ITHM is committed to continuously strengthening and improving its industry- and market-driven program offerings and is responsive to the needs of the time.
Industry Experts:
Hospitality Sector
Ms. Alida Ferranco – Assistant Human Resources Manager, Robinsons Hotels and Resorts
Mr. R.L. Fernando Garcia – Senior Training Manager, SM Hotels and Conventions Corp.
Ms. Michelle Perez – Sales Manager, 2GO Group, Inc.
Mr. Jan Jeffrey Tiongson – Director of Business Development, Seda Hotels
Tourism Sector
Mr. Jeffrey Espiritu – Executive Director, Omni Aviation
Mr. Ronald Flores – Chief Tourism Operations, Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila
Ms. Jennifer Gapuz – Assistant General Manager – Tourism Knowledge Center, Rajah Travel Corporation
Ms. Catherina Papio – Chief Soilmate, GreenSpace Pilipinas
FEU ITHM Academic Managers:
Dr. Joy Sheelah Baraero Era – Dean, ITHM
Mr. Johncent Del Rosario – Associate Dean, ITHM
Dr. Chrisdie F. Tongol – Department Chair, Tourism ITHM
Mr. Jan Racky Masa – Department Chair, HRM ITHM
Ms. Carolina Roces – Associate Department Chair, Tourism ITHM
Ms. Sunshine Sarmiento – Associate Department Chair, Tourism ITHM
Student Internship Program Coordinators:
Dr. Pamela Jonson – SIP Coordinator, HRM
Ms. Jenitha Mansinares – SIP Coordinator, Tourism
ITHM Faculty/Staff:
Mr. Richard Tabuena – Faculty, HRM
Ms. Elaine Del Rosario – Clerk, Internship
ITHM Alumni:
HRM
Ms. Andrea Bonsay – HRM
Mr. John Meynard Chan – HRM
Tourism
Ms. Gemariah Love Buenaventura – Tourism
Ms. Annabelle Veluz – Tourism
ITHM Students:
Ms. Desiree Hoa Gastador – ITHM Student Council
Mr. Piolo Perilla – ITHM Student Council
Ms. Fiona Mae Arceo – ITHM – PATA-FEU
Ms. Mitzie Gaile Jayme – ITHM – PATA-FEU
Ms. Yuka Gail Aoki
Ms. Kate Elloise Estacio
Ms. Ronzle Kaye Gonzales
Ms. Danica Noreen Sacbibit
