Over time, the long-standing challenge of closing the gap between academics and industry has had a considerable impact on both parties involved. To address this issue, some Technical Universities began offering Bachelor of Technology (BTech) programs in Hospitality Education. This study sought to evaluate students' awareness of the BTech program, the factors influencing their decision to join, and the perceived benefits and difficulties of enrolment. A quantitative study utilizing an online survey was conducted with 300 hospitality students in Diploma and Higher National Diploma (HND) classes in the Hotel Catering and Institutional Management department at Kumasi Technical University (KsTU). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS and Eviews software. In particular, cross-tabulations, Granger causality tests, and multiple linear regression were used to achieve the research objectives. The study's findings revealed that the majority (97%) of the students were aware of BTech degree in Hospitality Education. Students acknowledged the program's practical approach, viewing it as a good avenue to gaining significant competency and increasing their competitiveness in the labour market. However, many students suffered a huge financial burden because of the program, making enrolment difficult. Considering these findings, the study recommends that hospitality educators and industry partners work together to incorporate a comprehensive practical component into the program while addressing cost restrictions. This strategy attempts to enhance the overall effectiveness of the BTech programs and allow greater participation by students.

Authors:
Gloria Sarpong, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
John Awaab, University of Development Studies, Ghana
Irene Ashley, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
Priscilla Osae-Akonnor, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

About the Presenter(s)
Gloria Owusu Sarpong is a PhD student from University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Research interest in Hospitality and Tourism Education.

See this presentation on the full schedule – On Demand Schedule

Bookmark