Recommendation Letter from Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Singapore

NIM and its students are highly regarded in the industry. As you are aware NIM has tie ups with all the leading hotels in Singapore, and a recent letter from the Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, highlights our unrivalled reputation as the leading hospitality school in Singapore, and that our students will always be considered for full time positions, due to their high standards, as and when they arise.

SEAsia's first Universal Studios opens in Singapore

SINGAPORE (AFP) - – Southeast Asia's first Universal Studios theme park, featuring rides and attractions from box-office hits like "Shrek" and "Madagascar", opened to enthusiastic crowds Thursday in Singapore.
Hundreds of visitors including foreign tourists lined up to be among the first into the 20-hectare (50-acre) park, part of the 4.4-billion-US dollar Resorts World Sentosa casino complex built by Malaysia's Genting Group.
The casino, Singapore's first, started operations last month as part of a drive to draw more visitors to the city-state, which relies on man-made attractions to entice tourists.
Genting Group chairman Lim Kok Thay told reporters Southeast Asia, China and India would be the park's key markets and expressed optimism that visitors would come from as far away as Europe.
"I think there's simply no competition. We are the only park of this kind in this part of the world," he said.
Asia's only other Universal Studios theme park is in Japan, while the company's two other complexes are in California and Florida.
Robert McIntosh, executive director of consultancy CBRE Hotels Asia Pacific, believes the park will boost tourism to Singapore.
"It will be an added benefit for those who are already planning to come to Singapore to visit. It looks to be the kind of theme park that could pull in many visitors based on its attractions," he said.
Andy Nazarechuk, of the University of Las Vegas in Singapore, said: "I think they've set a new standard, not only for Singapore but also for the Asian region.
"I expect it to draw large numbers to this part of the world."
Singaporean newlyweds Raymond Ling and Liew See Eng took the day off to try the roller-coaster rides at the seaside entertainment centre.
"The whole goal was to come here first and experience the most terrifying rides. We'll definitely be taking it as many times as we can," Ling told AFP after getting off a ride called "Battlestar Galactica Human".
The park has seven zones of movie-themed attractions, including an area devoted to Steven Spielberg's "Jurassic Park" and a version of Hollywood's famous "Walk of Fame".
Nine-year-old Chai Jing Xuan, a Singaporean girl who was one of the first to try the "Shrek 4D Adventure" ride, gave it a thumbs-up.
"The best part of the ride was seeing the donkey. He was very funny," she said.
Chinese tourist Huang Wenhui, 26, an engineer who was in Singapore for a one-day stopover, joined the early crowds.
"I'm not a thrill-seeker, but I'm enjoying the whole experience very much," he said.
The park boasts 24 rides and attractions, with 18 originally designed or adapted for Singapore.
Under a phased opening, Resorts World Sentosa launched four premium hotels and a shopping and dining strip in January, followed by the casino and a convention centre last month.
Singapore gave the green light for two casino resorts in 2005, hoping to boost the country's appeal to tourists, and their construction helped fuel a property boom.
A marine life park, a maritime museum, a spa and two more hotels will open at Resorts World Sentosa after 2010.
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore's second casino complex, is scheduled to open on April 27. It is now being completed by US-based Las Vegas Sands.
Singapore welcomed 9.7 million visitors last year, down 4.3 percent from 2008 as the global recession hit travel demand, but arrivals have begun to pick up.
There were 908,000 visitors in January, up 17.6 percent from a year ago.

Booming Singapore Tourism & Hospitality~ Universal Studios Singapore

Miles of smiles and fun at Universal Studios Singapore

By Susan Ferroa, channelnewsasia.com Posted: 16 March 2010 2034 hrs

Singapore: Universal Studios Singapore throws opens its doors open to the public on Thursday 18 March and no one is more excited than the crew at the theme-park. Even the overcast sky couldn't blot out the smiles galore during the sneak peek for the media and other invited guests which ranged from families with prams and grandmas shuffling along. The best part was each smile radiated with a warmth that seemed to come from the heart with no dead-pan "Hi", "How are you" or "Have a nice day" recited from rote.

Enter the theme-park from the turn-stiles behind the giant spinning Universal Studios globe where ushers in smart red uniforms will greet you while checking your ticket. First impression, the Singapore theme-park is very reminiscent of other Universal Studios theme-parks such as the one in Australia's Gold Coast, from the broad streets to the stylised buildings in the different worlds and the live shows. Just a short stroll from the main entrance which is part of the Hollywood zone, will bring you to the Pantages Hollywood Theater where you can catch a lively musical presentation of "Monster Rock".

The show that runs just under 30 minutes at regular intervals, may not be for the little ones with 'stars' that include Frankenstein, the Mummy and Dracula. However, once the talented and energy-charged cast start their song and dance routines, the children may forget their nerves to dance and clap along. And clap, scream, whistle you must if you are to enjoy the rock revue where older 'kids' will surely appreciate with a musical line-up that includes a finale of Bon Jovi hits amid fireworks on stage. Stumbling out of the cool auditorium to the warm and humid streets, don't be surprised to be dragged into being part of a street performance or two. If it rains, not to worry, the streets are covered with a clear canopy that lets the daylight in while keeping visitors relatively dry.

The theme-park will have 24 rides but not all will be open come March 18, and some may need slight tweaking so visitors during the soft launch will need to be patient and maybe take time to chat to the very friendly staff. Most of the hosts at the theme-park are Singaporeans, either young and fresh from school or mid-career old hands, who would share insights of the rides and theme-park with ease and exuberance. This makes it a pleasant wait for rides which includes the gravity-defying Humans versus Cylons dueling roller-coasters,the tallest of its kind in the world.

This ride is part of Sci-Fi city which leads to Ancient Egypt where sombre chants reverberate from hidden speakers while 'sandstone statues' from the past tower over visitors. Here,another roller-coaster ride awaits in the Revenge of the Mummy, while the faint-hearted and family with young children, can opt for the Treasure Hunters ride. Circle round to the Lost World zone where dinosaurs lurk, and Madagascar where music and mayhem rule. Each zone comes complete with its own dining options, so in Egypt be ready to feast on spicy fare in a food hall with finishes from wood work to lamps, that will transport visitors to a Middle Eastern bazaar.

It would be a waste to miss a burger and malt at Mel's Diner located at the cross-roads of the American-themed zones of Hollywood and New York, but if grandparents aren't too adventurous, there's a Chinese restaurant a stone's throw away. Be prepared to pay about S$10 for simple fare like a sandwich and soft drink, which can be redeemed with a food voucher that comes with the ticket during the soft launch. Like all theme-parks there will be gift shops galore where it seemed the going rate was S$4.90 if you're on a budget. You will leave tired, but happy. That means the theme-park has worked it magic. It also helps that the team on the ground make it a happy time for you, and for the sneak peek that includes the send-off by the cheerful, colourful staff which should become a permanent feature. That's because people make a difference and at Universal Studios Singapore, they sure do. - CNA/sf

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS SINGAPORE EXPECTS 4.5 MIL VISITORS

By Zakaria Abdul Wahab - Wednesday, March 17

SINGAPORE, March 16 (Bernama) -- Singapore's Universal Studios located within Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) on Sentosa Island is officially set to open to the public on Thursday.
The Hollywood movie themed-park opening would cap Malaysia's Genting-owned RWS's phased development of the US$4.4 billion project.
The resort opened four hotels namely the Hard Rock Singapore, Festive Hotel, Hotel Michael and Crockfords Tower in January followed by the casino last month.
RWS's Communication Assistant Director Robin Goh told newsmen, during a pre-opening tour today, that 4.5 million visitors are expected to visit Universal Studios while the resort anticipares a tourist arrival of over 13 million.
The resort's opening is ahead of another multi-billion US dollar integrated resort, the Marina Bay Sands, which has been scheduled to open next month.
Goh said Universal Studios Singapore, South-east Asia's largest theme park, brought together the best of Universal Studios theme parks in Hollywood (California), Orlando (Florida) and Osaka (Japan) with a pair of the world's tallest roller-coasters, the world's first castle from the world of Shrek and Madagascar theme park ride.
The park features 24 rides and attractions in seven themed zones – Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, Far Far Away and Madagascar, and 18 of them original or adapted for Singapore.
Ticket prices for one-day pass to Universal Studios, inclusive of admission to all rides and depending on peak and non-peak seasons, ranges from S$66 to S$72 for adult, S$48 to S$52 for children, between the ages of four and 12, and S$32 to $36 for senior citizens above 65.
However, tickets to Universal Studios, from the opening day until Sunday, have been sold out due to the school holidays in Singapore.
-- BERNAMA
ZAW VMD

Success Stories ~ Testimonials of two Indian Students

Success Stories

Nanyang Institute of Management is regarded as one of the leading Hospitality schools in Singapore. We offer industry relevant education and training, from state of the art facilities in the heart of the Central Business District.

We have strong tie ups with all the leading hotels, restaurants and travel agencies in Singapore, giving us an unrivalled reputation for their ability to place students into industrial based training.

No other school in Singapore can match this. On top of this, we can also boast recent successes, from students who have been granted S - Pass (Skilled Pass), who are now enjoying employment in Singapore.

1/ Mr Tarsem Singh (S-Pass Holder)

Hello. My name is Tarsem Singh. I studied for a Diploma in Tourism & Hospitality Management at Nanyang Institute of Management.

The standard of teaching was very high and equipped me with all the knowledge required to begin my career in the Hospitality sector.At the end of my course Nanyang placed me into a 6 months’ industrial attachment in the City area, Novena.This was very enjoyable and I learnt so much, and was able to put into practice what I had learnt in the classroom.

I am pleased to say that at the end of my 6 months’ attachment I was offered full time employment and I'm now holding an S-Pass and enjoying life in Singapore. I would like to thank all the teachers and staff at Nanyang Institute of Management for all their help and guidance throughout my studies and internship, and for making all this possible.

2/ Ms Neilly Bar (doing her Internship at Universal Studios)

Hi,

I am Neilly Bar pursuing Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality Management in Nanyang Institute of Management since May 2009 and I must say, that my journey through the whole course has been rather a spectacular one!

I first learnt about NIM through a counselling agency in Delhi, India from where I belong.
The course was exactly what I was looking for. It had the right amount of theory and industrial experience unlike what the other schools were offering for a student applying for diploma. NIM also has other courses like the School of language, business and early childhood.

NIM is a Quality Class Private Education Organisation (SQC-PEO). It has a great location, excellent staff and wonderful logistic support. To be very honest, my very first interaction with the institute made me want to be a part of the family. They are very student friendly and efficient. Lets not forget the teachers. Our professors have great knowledge and experience in their respective fields. I mean, we have teachers who have 10-15 years of experience in the hotel and tourism industry. So whatever we were taught was coming from all the expertees of the hotel and tourism industry and we knew we were in great hands.

All the teachers has played a major role in my growth in the school. Beside their knowledge in the industry, they are very friendly, encourages every student to perform even better and extremely helpful. I never knew classes could be this much fun. After the 6 months of theory, students are sent off for their IA (Industrial Attachment) for 8 months which is, ofcourse, provided by the institute. Let me point out one very important aspect of NIM. NIM provides the best internships to students, and this fact is known to everyone and even to people who are not a part of NIM. I am now doing my internship in Universal Studios, Singapore and I am very happy with it. Most of my batch mates are all working in 5 stars and 6 stars hotels, resorts and travel agencies.

Nanyang has taught me a lot in a very short time. NIM showed me the way to my future and I truly appreciate all the love and support by my teachers, the staffs and the whole administration. I couldn't have asked for anything more.So keep up the good work.
And I wish NIM achieves great success in the future, which they truly deserve.