Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders on Hospitality and Tourism
 

Gracie Gelkie, Associate Dean of UCSI University’s Faculty of Hospitality and Management believes in giving back to the education sector

Gelkie hopes to brand UCSI University Sarawak as the premier choice for hospitality and tourism courses

Geikie (seated, right) signing an MoU with the University of Wolverhampton
 
Gracie Gelkie, Associate Dean of UCSI University’s Faculty of Hospitality and Management believes in giving back to the education sector. With 35 years of experience in airline, hotel, resort, tourism, hospitality and the food and beverage industry, Gelkie thinks that it is timely that she uses her experience and knowledge to educate today’s youths to boost the dynamic industry of tourism and hospitality.

Gelkie who is part Scottish says: “My grandfather is a Scot, and my grandmother is an Iban. Some may think this is exotic; but in Sarawak, it is actually very, very common,” This, she says, is one of the reasons why Malaysia is such a great tourist destination. “Malaysia is a great melting pot of cultures, races and traditions that it creates a rich environment that is enticing to many tourists around the world.”

Born and bred in Kuching, Gelkie’s last stint was as the CEO of the Sarawak Tourism Board. “I grew up in Kuching, and was educated in Kuching. However, on leaving school, I wanted to travel. So I travelled abroad, and stayed overseas for a year.” There, she found a job, and started to earn a living. “My family was struggling to get by, and my mother wanted me to quickly find a job to support myself and my family. That was exactly what I did.”

Gelkie however, did not forget the importance of education. “I continued studying part-time while I was working, and took up a diploma on business and management. Later I went on to do two MBAs: on Business and on Tourism and Hospitality. I may have pursued my higher education a little later than most, but it was never too late to learn something.”

Although many may regard tourism and hospitality as an unimportant aspect of the country’s economy, in reality, it is one of the highest revenue earners for the country; up to RM50 billion a year. “This industry is also very dynamic. It may be affected by changes in weather patterns, even an outbreak of a disease. Thus, it makes the industry very challenging, but also very exciting at the same time.” Gelkie says.

Gelkie hopes to brand UCSI University Sarawak as the premier choice for hospitality and tourism courses. “Our students are exposed to real life settings, and on graduation, they not only hold a degree certificate, but also possess real work experience from the internships that they underwent since their first semester. This is a well-known tradition at UCSI University, and I intend to continue that tradition.” Gelkie says.
     
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