Any Higher Education Institution (HEI) grows in quality only when it opens its doors for innovative methods of teaching and learning along with exposure in other countries and universities. With this in view Milagres college organized an educational tour for a group of Hospitality Science students to Malaysia along with the Principal.

I Batch of Malaysia Study Tour

This enthusiastic group looked for exciting experience of learning in Malaysia. Expectations written high, loaded with sufficient equipments, on January 25, 2020 a group of 7 students along with the Principal Rev. Fr Michael Santhumayor and Coordinator Christo Selvan started their journey from Mangalore to Cochin at 5.00 am by Parashuram express. Travelling with the Principal initially proved a little different and the Principal proved himself different by being a wonderful travelling companion. It was a fun filled journey. We reached Cochin at 2.00 pm. Then we had lunch at a nearby hotel and left to Cochin airport for our onward journey to Malaysia.

Departure from Cochin International Airport (January 25, 2020)

Only one among us students had the previous air travel experience at the local level. The grandeur of the airport and the lined aircrafts were a marvel to our eyes and we were really awestruck at the view. The excitement of an international travel and that too with our Principal and classmates added to our curiosity. After completing the formalities we boarded the flight at

10.00 pm. We tried to adjust our seats to the window so that we could have an aerial view of God’s creation, the nature. Only after the takeoff did we realize that our view would be limited by light being night. We reached Kuala Lumpur on January 26 at 3.30 am. Though a short journey, it was an experience of life. We were very excited at the magnificence of the new city and had our sumptuous breakfast at Asian Spice India Restaurant. Then we left for Putrajaya tour and continued our visit to Aquaria KLCC. It is an oceanarium. We were all thrilled to see the variety of fishes in different sizes and colours.

Putrajaya Bridge and City View

Aquaria KLCC

Later, we checked into Plaza Grand Hotel and were allotted rooms. After freshening up we proceeded for dinner at Taj Kohinoor Restaurant in the same hotel. The traning manager of Hotel Plaza Grand briefed us to the process of Five Star Hotel.

Plaza Grand Hotel

Training on Five Star Hotel Process at Hotel Plaza Grand

On January 27, after our breakfast we proceeded to Batu Caves Hindu temple and from there we proceeded to the Genting Highland and enjoyed the two-way cable car ride and it was a wonderful experience as we were at a great height enjoying the scenic beauty of the Genting highland which we will never forget in our life. After that we proceeded to our hotel and had our dinner and took rest.

Batu Caves

Genting Highland

On January 28, we visited the Mahsa University and we were welcomed by the faculty there. We had very fruitful and productive discussions with the faculty and learnt a lot. We were able to share our Indian learning experience and imbibe certain methods used there. Thereafter we moved to the various department labs, classrooms etc. From there we visited downtown Kuala Lumpur and we did some shopping there. Then we left to Cocoa Boutique and saw a variety of mouthwatering chocolates and we got to taste them. Then we proceeded to the New King’s Palace and from there to the National Monuments such as KL Tower and Twin Towers. These places bring to mind the rich legacy of history.

Kuala Lumpur Tower

Petronas Twin Towers


Mahsa University

Kuala Lumpur (Shopping)

On January 29, we went to Sunway University and visited the Hospitality Department. During the interaction with the faculty we were exposed to mind mapping, brain storming, KT divisional analysis and duncker diagram. These are problem solving tools. Then we had  Sunway – Lagoon case study that culminated in our group presentation. We were given certificates and food was provided. After the completion of the learning encounter we proceeded to the Times Square Mall for shopping and then to China Town for our leisure time.

Sunway University

Training Session at Sunway University

Certification for the training attended at Sunway University

Meeting with Prof. Marcus L Stephenson the Dean of Hospitality Department at Sunway University

Meeting with Dr Elizabeth F Y Lee the CEO of Sunway University

On January 30, after breakfast we checked out from our hotel and went for the Malacca city tour and saw St Peter’s Church, Red Square, St Paul Hill and Alamosa Fort, Jonker Street.

Red Square

St Paul Hill

Alamosa Fort at Jonker Street

From there we proceeded to the Kuala Lumpur airport to board the flight at 9.30 pm and reached Cochin airport at 3.00 am on January 31. From there we proceeded to the railway station for our onward journey to Mangalore and reached at 11.45 am.

It was a very wonderful lifetime experience and we all enjoyed a lot and we were sad to bid goodbye to this beautiful place. We will cherish these memories. This educational tour has given an impetus to our learning. We are very grateful to Fr Michael Santhumayor, our Principal and Dr Christo Selvan, the tour guide, for their guidance throughout the tour.

Nisha M Pinto (I B.Sc. HS student)