In a bid to enhance collaboration and share best practices, Jinja-based Hotel and Tourism Training College (HTTC) hosted a high-level delegation from BOMA International Hospitality College (BIHC) of Kenya on Friday, March 19.
The partnership aims to strengthen cooperation through staff and student exchanges, internships, and joint research projects, among other initiatives.
College Principal Richard Kawere praised BIHC for the collaboration, noting that it would improve the quality of hospitality training at both institutions.
“We are excited about this relationship. We reached out to you and you opened your arms and received us. We remain committed to implementing the MoU in its entirety,” Kawere said in a message read on his behalf by Emmanuel Kaweesi, HTTC’s Dean of Academics.
He also commended BIHC for the warm reception of HTTC staff who visited Kenya for a capacity development program.
“Our two colleagues, Denis Kanaabi and Akundwe Christable, came to BOMA and attested to the warm reception they received while there. We thank you for being hospitable,” Kawere added.
The Acting Commissioner for Human Resources at the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Ritah Kabugho, applauded HTTC for securing cross-border collaboration.
“When I go back, I will inform the Permanent Secretary about this collaboration and I am sure she will be pleased,” Kabugho said.
BIHC Principal Samuel Irungu highlighted the global opportunities the partnership would offer his students through internships and apprenticeships.
“We send our students to Uganda because we want them to be exposed. Working with partners opens doors for them,” Irungu said.
The two sister institutions also exchanged ideas on research, internships, tuition policy, and training standards. Irungu emphasized that BIHC recruits only industry-experienced trainers.
“We only recruit training staff who are grounded in the industry. If you are teaching Culinary Arts, you must have worked as a chef in a national or global hospitality establishment,” he said.
He added that all BIHC officers and managers have a responsibility to teach in addition to their administrative duties.
The visit concluded with a guided tour of HTTC’s facilities and the Crested Crane Hotel, the college’s application hotel, which will soon open to the public.
