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Interview Experience with Mr Izad at Huggin Hippo Cafe

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Interview Experience with Mr Izad at Huggin Hippo Cafe

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My groupmates and I went to Huggin Hippo Café to interview Mr. Izad, a supervisor there, for our assignment titled “Exploring Leadership in the Hospitality Industry.” I took the lead by contacting Mr. Izad through WhatsApp to check his availability and arrange a suitable date for the interview. Before the visit, we made sure to complete all the preparations. We got the official permission letter from UiTM, prepared a list of questions, and confirmed the details with Mr. Izad in advance.

The interview took about an hour and went smoothly, Alhamdulillah. Mr. Izad was very friendly and shared a lot of useful information about his leadership journey, the challenges he faces, and how he manages the team at the café. It was a valuable and eye-opening experience for all of us to learn directly from someone in the hospitality field.

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On 12 June 2025, we attended a guest lecture by Dr. Xingyi Zhang from the University of North Texas, USA. The session began at 8:30 AM on Google Meet and lasted around 45 to 60 minutes. Dr. Zhang spoke about MICE, which stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions, and how this sector is evolving in today’s world. Although the session was held online, it was very engaging and informative. We gained a lot of new knowledge and had the chance to learn from an expert outside of Malaysia. Overall, it was a valuable experience that deepened our understanding of the tourism and hospitality industry.

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My parents are my greatest idols. Their strength, love, and countless sacrifices have played a huge role in shaping the person I am today. No matter what challenges come their way, they face them with courage, patience, and determination. They are the kind of people who give selflessly, always putting their family and others first without expecting anything in return. Their guidance has taught me valuable lessons, their kindness continues to inspire me, and their resilience shows me that with love and effort, anything is possible. To me, they’re not just my parents they’re my whole world.

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A big thank you to the person in charge of our trip! He was incredibly helpful, supportive, and made sure everything ran smoothly. Basically, we truly appreciate all the effort from all The Top staff that make the experience enjoyable for everyone!

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Sky High Learning: Discovering Edutainment And Innovation At The Top, Penang

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Sky High Learning: Discovering Edutainment And Innovation At The Top, Penang

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THE TOP Penang

On 17 May 2025, we went on an academic trip to The TOP Penang as part of our HTM405 course. It was a fun and meaningful experience that helped us learn more about the hospitality and tourism industry in a real-world setting.

We started our day early with breakfast and gathered at UiTMCPP before taking the bus to Penang. When we arrived at The TOP, we received our entrance tickets and listened to a short briefing by the management team. They shared interesting information about the background of The TOP and how it operates on a daily basis.

One of the best parts of the trip was the Q&A and sharing session with the staff. They spoke about their leadership roles, how they face and solve challenges in the industry, current tourism trends, and also gave helpful advice for those of us who want to build a career in hospitality. Their stories were very inspiring and gave us a better understanding of what it’s like to work in the field.

After the session, we were divided into smaller groups to explore different outlets and kiosks around The TOP. It was exciting to see what happens behind the scenes and how the staff interact with guests professionally.

We had lunch together at the food court and performed our Zuhur prayers before continuing with the second part of our visit. We went to more outlets, took notes on the services offered, and learned how each part contributes to the overall guest experience.

We arrived back at UiTMCPP around 6:00 pm, feeling tired but satisfied. Overall, it was a memorable trip that balanced learning and enjoyment. I gained so much new knowledge and felt even more motivated about my future in the hospitality industry.

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There was no class this week because of a public holiday. Even though we didn’t have any physical or online meetings, we used this time to reflect on the progress we’ve made so far. It was also a good opportunity to start preparing for our upcoming final assessments. Taking this short break helped us recharge while also staying focused on what’s coming next. Overall, this whole journey has been filled with great memories, fun moments, and valuable learning experiences. It’s been a meaningful and enjoyable time working together as a team and growing throughout the semester.

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This week was an important one for all the groups because we finally presented our group assignment to the class. We used the Canva app to create our slides, and it really helped make our presentation look neat, eye-catching, and professional. Each group was given 15 minutes to present, followed by a short Q&A session. At first, we were a bit nervous, but once we started, we supported each other and managed to present our points clearly. During the Q&A session, we had the chance to explain our research in more detail and show how much we had learned. It was also fun and interesting to watch the other groups present. We got to learn about different leadership styles and stories from various roles in the hospitality industry, which gave us new ideas and perspectives.

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For week 12, we didn’t have class because of a public holiday. Even though we didn’t meet in person or online, our group used the time wisely to work on our project. We focused on editing our report and finishing up our presentation slides. It was a good chance for us to catch up on everything and make sure our work was going smoothly. Everyone played their part, and we made good progress as a team.

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This week, we had a meeting with Madam Fadlina to review our group report assignment. She gave us helpful feedback by showing us which parts needed improvement and explained how we could make them better. We really appreciated her comments because they helped us understand what we missed and how to improve our work. For our project titled “Exploring Leadership in the Hospitality Industry,” we also officially chose our interviewee, the Supervisor of Huggin Hippo Cafe. We’re excited about this choice because it gives us a chance to learn directly from someone with real leadership experience in the hospitality field. It’s a great opportunity for our team to gain deeper insights and prepare a stronger final report.

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This week, we had our Mid Term Test, which took place in class. The test was based on three important chapters: Chapter 1 (Overview of the Hospitality and Tourism Ecosystem), Chapter 2 (Dynamics of the Hospitality and Tourism Ecosystem), and Chapter 5 (Hospitality and the Foodservice Industry). These chapters taught us many key ideas, like how the hospitality and tourism industry is structured, who the main players are, how the industry works, and how foodservice is an important part of the whole system. The test was quite tough and some of the questions really made us think deeply and apply what we learned, not just memorize. Even though it was challenging, I did my best and felt confident answering most of the questions. Overall, I think I did a pretty good job!

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In Week 9, we started the class with a fun group activity to help us get ready for the revision test. Each group had to pick one topic from Chapters 1, 2, or 5, which talk about the hospitality and tourism industry, how it works, and foodservice. My group chose the topic from Chapter 1. Instead of a normal presentation, we turned our topic into a quiz game. This made the revision more fun and interactive for everyone in class. It was a creative way to help us all remember the key points, and we really enjoyed learning together as a team.

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In Week 8, we were given the task of presenting a topic related to Technology and Innovation in the hospitality industry. My team and I decided to focus on Flyzoo Hotel, China, a standalone hotel brand that uses a lot of modern technology. We talked about some of the challenges the hotel has faced, like keeping up with guest expectations and staying competitive, and we explained how they solved these problems using smart and creative ideas. It was interesting to learn how technology is helping improve the guest experience. I’m really thankful to my team as everyone did their part, and because of our great teamwork, the presentation went smoothly. It was a fun and proud moment for all of us!

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No class ( Wesak Day )

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In Week 6, we learned about Chapter 9, which talks about the future of the hospitality industry. It was really interesting to see how the industry is changing with new ideas and technology. After that, our lecturer gave us a group assignment to prepare a presentation about some of the latest innovations being used in hotels and other hospitality businesses. We’ll be presenting it next week, so everyone is already starting to do research and plan. Before the class ended, we had a fun sharing session where some of our classmates talked about their personal experiences both good and bad while working or staying in the hospitality industry. It was eye-opening and gave us a better understanding of what really happens behind the scenes.

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In Week 5, my friends and I gave a group presentation about the design and layout of Renaissence Hotel, a beautiful and unique hotel located in Kuala Lumpur. We mainly talked about the front-of-house areas, like the lobby, reception, and other guest spaces, which had some really interesting and stylish features. To help us get ready for the presentation, we first reviewed Chapter 3 about the lodging industry, which gave us a better understanding of how hotels work. Working on this project was actually quite fun. we got to look at pictures of the hotel, learn about its desert-inspired design, and imagine what it would be like to stay there. Overall, it was a great experience and we also enjoyed presenting it to the class!

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During Week 4, we explored Chapter 3, which is the dynamics of the lodging industry, offering valuable insights into how hotels and other accommodations operate and adapt to changes in demand, technology, and guest expectations. In addition to our academic learning, we also had a lively discussion regarding our upcoming class trip. After considering a few options, we unanimously agreed on visiting The Top Penang as our destination. The location promises a fun and educational experience, and the whole class is genuinely excited and counting down the days to the trip. It’s a great opportunity not only to bond as a group but also to observe hospitality practices in a real-world setting.

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In our third class, Madam asked us to share our own customer service experiences. It was a fun and engaging activity because we got to listen to different situations and how each person handled customers. It also helped us understand the importance of good customer service.

At the end of the class, Madam gave us a homework assignment. We need to prepare a hotel design layout and present it in the next class. This task will help us apply our creativity and understanding of how a hotel should be structured to provide comfort and convenience to guests.

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During our first physical class, we had the chance to introduce ourselves and get to know each other better. It was nice meeting my classmates and hearing about their backgrounds and experiences. Madam also gave us a briefing about the subject, what we’ll be learning, and the assignments we’ll be working on throughout the semester. She explained everything clearly, and it made me feel more prepared and excited for what’s ahead. I’m looking forward to learning more and working together with my classmates on upcoming tasks!

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For the first week, we had our first online class with Madam Fadhlina. She also introduced herself and encouraged us to stay focused and committed even though the class is conducted online. During the session, she also advised us to buy the recommended textbook for our reference and to help us understand the topics better. Overall, it was a light and welcoming start to the class.

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Assalamualaikum and hi everyone <3

Im Wan Nisrina Nabihah Binti Che Wan Suhaimi. I was born on 12th December 2004 and I’m proudly from Negeri Sembilan! Currently, I’m studying for my Degree in Science Hospitality Management under the Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management at UiTM Permatang Pauh. Fun fact, I’m not new to this field! I actually took the same course during my diploma at UiTM Dungun.

I’ve always had a passion for the hospitality industry (plus I really enjoy meeting new people and learning about service excellence!). Looking forward to learning more and making the most out of this journey!

I may seem quiet at first, but once I’m comfortable, you’ll see the fun side of me :>