Learning by Doing: Our Partnership with Boustead Hotels & Resorts

At the International University College of Management and Sports (ICMS), we believe that true education happens when knowledge meets experience. In line with this philosophy, we are proud to announce our partnership with Boustead Hotels & Resorts Sdn. Bhd. (BHRSB), the company that manages the prestigious Royale Chulan Hotels & Resorts group.

This partnership represents more than a formal agreement. It is a shared mission to nurture future professionals who are ready to contribute to Malaysia’s growing hospitality industry. Through this collaboration, our Diploma in Hotel Management students will participate in a structured Work-Based Learning (WBL) programme that combines classroom lessons with full-time industrial training at Boustead’s hotel properties.

A Real-World Classroom Experience

Students will undergo hands-on learning through department rotations covering Front Office, Housekeeping, Food and Beverage, Kitchen, and Operations. Each rotation is designed to expose students to the full scope of hotel operations and help them understand how every department contributes to the guest experience and the overall success of the organisation.

This approach transforms hotels into real-world classrooms where students apply their knowledge, improve communication skills, and build professional confidence. It allows them to experience the daily challenges and rewards of the hospitality industry, preparing them for a seamless transition from study to employment.

Building Industry-Ready Graduates

Our Chief Operating Officer, Raj Kumar, shared that this partnership is an important step in bringing the world of education and industry closer together.
“This partnership reflects ICMS’s strong commitment to bridging education and industry. Real-world experience is not an addition to learning. It is the foundation for producing capable and employable graduates,” he said.

The Boustead Hotels & Resorts team also shares this belief. Dato’ Rosthman Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer of Boustead Hotels & Resorts, expressed his support by saying that the collaboration aligns with the company’s goal to nurture professional talent and strengthen Malaysia’s position as a global hospitality destination. “We are proud to support ICMS in preparing the next generation of professionals who can lead with skill, integrity, and passion,” he said. The signing event was also witnessed by Datuk Wira Abdul Mutalif Abdul Rahim, Independent Non-Executive Director of Boustead Holdings Berhad, who commended the initiative as a valuable step toward building closer cooperation between education providers and the hospitality sector. His presence underscored Boustead’s strong corporate commitment to talent development and sustainable growth across its business divisions.

Advancing Shared Values and Sustainable Growth

This partnership also reflects our commitment to social and economic sustainability. Together, ICMS and Boustead Hotels & Resorts support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth). By promoting work-based education, both institutions are helping to create meaningful career opportunities while improving the quality and relevance of higher education in Malaysia.

At ICMS, we believe that education should not end in the classroom. It should inspire action, build confidence, and prepare students to thrive in real environments. Through this collaboration, we are not only shaping individual futures but also contributing to the long-term growth of Malaysia’s hospitality industry.

A Shared Vision for the Future

The ICMS–Boustead partnership is built on a simple but powerful belief: learning by doing creates better professionals, stronger communities, and a more resilient industry. Our students will gain valuable exposure to the inner workings of hotels, learn from industry leaders, and graduate with the confidence to take on leadership roles in Malaysia and beyond.

At ICMS, every partnership is a step toward creating opportunities that matter. Together with Boustead Hotels & Resorts, we are opening new doors for our students to learn, grow, and build lasting careers in one of the most dynamic industries in the world.