The Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) embarked on its journey into the academic year 2023-2024 with a spirited celebration marked by Freshers' festivities.
The academic year officially set sail on the 29th of September, as new students arrived to participate in induction meetings and partake in the grand inauguration of the Freshers'.
The Freshers’ event brought together eager newcomers and seasoned scholars, forming an inspiring blend of fresh faces and familiar ones, all geared up to explore the world of tourism and hospitality. It was the perfect beginning of a transformative academic journey.
The highlight of the festivities was the Opening Ceremony held on the 2nd of October. This ceremony guided everyone towards unity and the commencement of an exciting year.
It was a sight to behold as students, faculty, and staff came together to celebrate the dawn of another chapter. Simultaneously, the 2nd of October marked the commencement of lectures for all students.
Freshers' this year was slightly different, as it was combined with the ITS Career Expo, enabling industry organisations to meet and greet students on their very first day.
This created a seamless bridge of networking and career development as numerous companies, including potential employers, mingled with our aspiring tourism and hospitality professionals.
In terms of enrollment, ITS proudly welcomed over 600 students pursuing full-qualification study programmes this year.
Among them, 59% were returning students, determined to continue their academic journey in this nurturing environment. The largest segment of returning students belonged to the Diploma Level, having successfully completed their Certificate Level studies in the previous academic year.
Among the fresh faces, a significant number of students chose to embark on the Foundation Level study programme, highlighting their strong desire to establish a solid academic foundation in the dynamic world of Tourism and Hospitality.
Furthermore, ITS has witnessed a notable surge in enrollment for several sought-after programmes, including the MBA in International Hospitality Management in academic affiliation with The Emirates of Hospitality Management, the Higher National Diploma in Tourist Guiding, and the Bachelor in Culinary Arts offered in collaboration with Institut Lyfe, formerly known as Institut Paul Bocuse.
This pattern underscores the wide spectrum of academic interests and aspirations of the incoming student body.