KOTA KINABALU: Asian Tourism International (ATI) College will continue to expand and upgrade its facilities and courses to meet the demands and criteria for elevating the college to University College status by 2015.
Speaking at the 15th ATI College convocation ceremony at 1Borneo Hypermall here yesterday, its chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Panglima Wong Khen Thau, said ATI College would strive to provide the best.
“This is in line with our motto ‘Strive for Excellence’,” he said.
“We strive to provide what others do not provide, what others failed to provide and what others refused to provide. We strive for excellence in sportsmanship, leadership, human relationship and citizenship.
“We wish to produce global outlook graduates who can work in anywhere in the world. Being an international college, we are continuing to attract students from overseas,” he said, adding that ATI College currently has students from the Philippines, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, Myanmar and Iraq.
He also said ATI College academic team comprises both local and international experts in their chosen field. Their dedication has ensured that most of the college graduates are readily accepted by the industry.
Wong, in his speech, also said that the college had recently diversified its range of courses to include four additional diploma and two advanced diploma programmes, namely diploma in business management, diploma in accountancy, diploma in event management and diploma in retail management.
The two advanced diploma courses are advanced diploma in culinary management and advanced diploma in hotel and tourism management.
These additional programmes will provide prospective students with a wider choice of courses and opportunities to pursue higher qualification.
Currently ATI College has four schools namely culinary, tourism, hospitality and a new school of business studies and in the near future a school of education and a school of modern sciences.
ATI College fully supports the State Government in making Sabah a leading tourism destination.
“We are fully aware that the continued supply of skilled professional manpower is needed for the hospitality and tourism industry.
“We are working closely with the government and the private sector wherein an educational fund has been set up to help rural and less fortunate students to pursue their education in IPTS in Sabah,” said Wong.
Meanwhile, Principal Award For Best Student recipient Suzanne Tham Pei San from Penampang said ATI College had been helping her to achieve her ambition to be a chef.
The 21-year-old diploma in culinary arts student said after six months of industrial training at Magellan Sutera Harbour, she had been promoted and confirmed as a permanent staff and was planning to gain more experience in the industry.
“Since I was 14 years old, I was very passionate in cooking and I really dedicated myself to be a chef.
“I would like to stay longer in Sabah and learn more about Malay cuisine before going overseas in the future hopefully to learn about other cuisine as well, especially Italian food,” she said.
During the convocation, four other students received top achievement awards, namely Precious Sapphire Gidung, Lo Kin Vui, Lee Chiao Wei and Yang Keh Yee.