At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy (At-Sunrice, or the “Academy”), in collaboration with The University of West London, proudly announces the launch of Singapore’s first and only 12-month Bachelor of Business Studies with Entrepreneurship (BABSE) programme. A pioneering programme designed to support candidates of all ages in attaining a fast-tracked degree after completing their relevant diplomas or equivalent.
Alongside the BABSE programme, At-Sunrice also unveiled its accelerated Double Diploma programme today at the Lifelong Learning Institute – as a part of its two-day programme to promote professions in the culinary arts in conjunction with the SkillsFuture Festival 2024.
The launch was attended by key members from At-Sunrice and The University of West London, alongside representatives from the Singapore Chef Association.
Dr. Kwan Lui, Founder of At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy said, “We are thrilled to partner with The University of West London to bring such an innovative and impactful programme to Singapore. Our Double Diploma and BABSE programmes are designed to provide a comprehensive education that blends culinary arts with business acumen, preparing our students for diverse and successful careers.”
Professor Peter John CBE, Vice-Chancellor and President said, “This collaboration marks a significant step forward in our commitment to delivering world-class education. The BABSE programme is a testament to our shared vision of nurturing entrepreneurial talent and fostering lifelong learning.”
The programmes cater to both full-time and mid-career students, providing an enriching balance between classroom, remote, and hands-on work experience.
A stepping stone via At-Sunrice’s Double Diploma programme
The innovative Double Diploma programme refreshes At-Sunrice’s long-standing classic 18-month course. In response to feedback from students that had undergone its classic programme, At-Sunrice developed the Double Diploma programme to offer a unique blend of work and study.
It empowers students of all experience levels to gain invaluable workplace experience through six-month placements in F&B establishments across the country, while returning to the classroom to continue learning from their peers and instructors in the other six. The initial diploma culminates in a capstone project, where students will challenge themselves to apply their skills to real-world problems. They will develop a proposal from one of six verticals: sustainability, education, charities, well-being, tourism, and journalism.
Through the programme, students will graduate with a Double Diploma in just 12 months, making them eligible to pursue the BABSE programme in the following 12 months.
Tailored, modular education for diverse candidates
These two new educational offerings are tailored for both local and international students who have completed their secondary, polytechnic, or ITE education and are seeking a first-class, well-rounded education within and beyond the culinary arts.
The double diploma programme maintains its focus on the culinary arts, with students able to choose specialisations such as culinary arts, pastry and baking, F&B service and beverage service. The programme is also integrated with a Specialist Diploma in Food Entrepreneurship (SDFE).
Expanding the knowledge base of students beyond the kitchen, the bachelor’s programme is designed to equip students with a comprehensive set of skills with a focus on business and entrepreneurship – making it ideal for mid-career individuals as well as fresh graduates seeking a holistic skillset.
Making learning opportunities accessible for a future-ready workforce
These offerings are highly accessible to mid-career individuals due to the availability of SkillsFuture Singapore subsidies of up to 90%. The structure allows students to continue working full-time while pursuing their diplomas or degrees, emphasizing the importance of a future-ready workforce. The programmes address the unique challenges faced by chefs as they advance in their careers and branch out beyond the kitchen.
The launch was preceded by a graduation ceremony for the Academy’s graduating students. Students expressed their enthusiasm for continuing their education through the newly launched Double Diploma and BABSE programmes.
Current diploma student and corporate chef at The Wok People, Keno Tay, said, “I’ve been in the F&B business for almost three decades, and it’s always been a dream of mine to further my studies. However, I did not want to disrupt my career by going back to school. The programmes offered at At-Sunrice offer me the best of both worlds. The diploma course has already equipped me with valuable knowledge that may not necessarily be available to us as chefs, and I’m looking forward to moving on to the next leg of my studies and perhaps, eventually graduating with a degree. While it is challenging to pursue my studies while continuing to work, I believe this will open up many new opportunities for me, and I am very grateful to my employers for their support.”
Samriddh Billa, 19-year-old graduating student said, “Being able to study and gain hands-on experience through my work placement at JW Marriott South Beach over the past six months has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of the industry I am so passionate about. I think this is the ideal distribution of our time as we pursue our studies, and I am definitely keen to continue developing my knowledge through the newly launched degree programme and eventually, open up my own restaurant.”
Images: At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy
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