GOA:
Working abroad is a dream that many harbour, but for 16 students of V. M. Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality Education (VMSIIHE) that dream will turn into a reality as they have embarked on a journey to Portugal on a six month paid internship.
The students from VMSIIHE who headed to Portugal recently are interning in hotels like The Lake Resort & Spa, Algarve, Vilalara Thalassa Resort, Algarve and Troia Design Hotel, Troia all managed by the Blue & Green Hotels & Resorts, Portugal; Praia d’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort, Obidos, Portugal, and Pine Cliff Portugal, Algarve. Students will take up jobs in various departments while on the internship
The initiative stems from a MOU signed by the institute with Turismo de Portugal in the presence of the Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa when he was in Goa on a state visit early last year. Professor Irfan Mirza, Director of V. M. Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality Education led the efforts in forging a collaboration between the two nations. The knowledge exchange programme between the two countries has seen a collaborative effort in the fields of research, trainings, teaching-learning methods and other aspects over the past year.
The internship program is one of many such initiatives. Earlier last year a group of students from VMSIIHE embarked on a month long culinary journey to Portugal which included lectures, masterclasses by experts, wine appreciation sessions and visits to culinary institutes. The team from VMSIIHE also showcased Indian cuisine and culture while on their visit to Portugal. VMSIIHE in turn also hosted a team of international students from various hospitality schools operated and managed by Turismo de Portugal in February this year. The month long programme aims at promoting professional knowledge and cultural integration in the field of Hospitality and Tourism both in Portugal and India and is part of an agreement signed between the two nations.
