In today’s fast-changing technological environment, the hospitality industry must adapt to stay competitive. INTI International College Penang’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts (SOHOS) is leading this evolution by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation into its curriculum to prepare future industry leaders.
On 7 May, INTI Penang unveiled the “Cham Peng (Champion): Media, Culinary and Communication Bootcamp.” With the theme “Visual Foodgasm—Malaysian Identity,” the boot camp highlighted the blend of international cuisine with Malaysian cultural aesthetics, inspiring students to express their creativity in culinary arts and digital media.
Jeff Lim Chang Wei, Head of SOHOS, stated, “We are revolutionising our teaching by integrating AI and digital tools into our curriculum. This approach modernises our methods and prepares our students for the future of the hospitality industry. Hands-on projects like food photography and social media content creation provide practical experience that sets our students apart.”
The innovative teaching methods at INTI Penang have been well-received and highly recognised by industry experts. Master Joe Chia from Canon Malaysia highlighted the college’s supportive atmosphere and forward-thinking methods in preparing students for their careers. Michelle Yeo from Dandy Modern Food praised the collaboration between industry and academia as enjoyable and valuable. Alex Goh from DEX Ventures viewed the initiative as a useful platform for talent scouting. Ts Dr. Nur Faizah Mohd Pahme from UiTM Perak emphasised the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration. Dr Mark Finn from SUT Australia commended INTI Penang’s commitment to quality education and progressive approaches, further solidifying our confidence in our methods. At the same time, Chef Reza from UiTM Penang recommended the boot camp for its innovative ideas.
(From left) EOS Master Joe Chia, Professional Photographer, Canon Malaysia; Ts Dr. Nur Faizah Mohd Pahme, Senior Lecturer, Department of Graphic & Digital Media, College of Creative Arts, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Seri Iskandar, Perak; Chef Reza (Noorsa Riza Johari), Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, UiTM, Permatang Pauh, Penang; Alex Goh, Graphic Designer and Digital Content Creator, DEX Ventures; Moderator Muhamad Amirul Faiz Abd Ghani, Head of Programme, Centre for Australian Degree Programmes, INTI International College Penang; Michelle Yeo, Co-Founder and General Manager, Dandy Modern Foods; Dr. Mark Finn, Senior Lecturer, Media and Communications, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia; and Siew Jun Han, Product Specialist, Canon Malaysia at the Chit Chat Cham Peng forum discussion.
Students from SOHOS, the Centre for Australian Degree Programs (CADP), and the School of Business (SOBIZ) participated in the boot camp, which aimed to foster strategic collaborations among students from different disciplines, leveraging their unique talents and perspectives.
The initiative focused on three primary objectives. First, it introduced students to food photography and social media content creation, enabling them to communicate their culinary creations to a global audience. Second, it aimed to boost students’ confidence in expressing their ideas through visual arts, creative writing, and oral presentations. Third, it fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, giving students a competitive edge in the hospitality industry.
The program featured several talent hubs, each focusing on culinary and media skills. The content creation hub taught students to use DSLR cameras and social media for compelling food photography and engaging reels. The oral presentation and copywriting hub enhanced students’ ability to convey their ideas effectively. The food styling hub concentrated on the aesthetic presentation of dishes. The program concluded with an event where students showcased their skills in food styling, content creation, and presentation, receiving feedback from industry experts.
Enthusiastic participation and positive feedback on social media, particularly Instagram, highlighted student engagement and the effectiveness of digital tools in their learning.
As INTI International College Penang continues to embrace AI and digitalisation, it aims to prepare students to be innovative, confident, and competitive leaders in the hospitality industry. Initiatives like the “Cham Peng (Champion): Media, Culinary and Communication Bootcamp” set a new standard for culinary arts education, ensuring students are well-equipped to excel in the digital landscape.
The main organising committee (from left): The main organising committee (from left): Muhamad Amirul Faiz Abd Ghani, Project Director, Head of Programme, Centre for Australian Degree Programmes, INTI International College Penang; Nur Raidah Radzi, Media & Publicity Director, Lecturer, School of Business, INTI International College Penang; Chef Muhamad Nazrin Mohd Sah, Logistic & Operations Director, Lecturer, School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts, INTI International College Penang; and Jeff Lim Chang Wei, Project Advisor & Financial Director, Head of School, School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts, INTI International College Penang.