Post-pandemic education: hospitality program revisit

Abstract

ABSTRACT Inadequate understanding of how hospitality education should be approached indicates that learners may face difficulties adapting to future workplaces in the post-pandemic era. This study investigates perspectives on the need for hospitality programme revamps in order to meet post-pandemic requirements, with a focus on programme perceptions, career requirements shifting, and curriculum improvements. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select a cohort of 26 participants, which included individuals representing pivotal stakeholders, including students, academic professionals, and industry experts. Subsequently, interviews were conducted with these participants, and the resultant transcripts underwent thematic analysis. This analytical process was undertaken with the aim of evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the existing program, while also identifying areas for potential improvement. This study’s findings indicate that personal factors, environmental influences, and learner behavior significantly shape learners’ perceptions and expectations of the university’s hospitality program in post-pandemic era. Furthermore, the study also highlights the limitations of online teaching, emphasizing the importance of physical engagement, particularly in the development of soft skills. Hence, future hospitality programs contemplating online teaching integration should carefully consider curriculum offerings and instructional pedagogy, suggesting that program administrators should approach revamping not only through subject additions or removals but also from a strategic pedagogical perspective considering both post-pandemic industrial demand and graduates’ career development processes.