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Cinnamon Group and Reliance College Partnership Sets the Course for a Promising Future

The signing of an MOU at the BAC Performing Arts Centre (BACPAC), BAC PJ Campus on 16th February 2023, between Reliance College, the Hospitality and Tourism specialist under the BAC Education Group, and the Cinnamon Group, a prominent name in the F&B industry, opens up exciting new opportunities for hospitality students. This significant collaboration represents a promising milestone, especially in an industry like culinary that has managed to weather the storm of uncertainties caused by the pandemic. With this newfound partnership, students can now explore new horizons, and endless opportunities.

At the event, Mr Sangeethan Sivagnanam, General Manager of Cinnamon Group, in his opening address, reflected on his humble beginnings 16 years ago when he joined the company as an intern. Despite starting from the bottom, he has worked his way up to become the Group's General Manager.

He recalled how the Group started with a single outlet named Aliyaa in Damansara Heights, that has now grown to become a massive brand with several multi-cuisine restaurants under its wings. From serving only Sri Lankan and South Indian cuisine, the Cinnamon Group has now expanded to serving Spanish, Japanese and Italian cuisines at their premium outlets stationed across Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Redang Island and Putrajaya.

“It took nine years to form our second outlet. Now, we have 17 unique brands and 22 thriving outlets. Our success is not just attributed to our perseverance, but also to the talented and committed team members who have grown with us, each bringing their unique perspective and helping us diversify and expand our reach to various types of restaurants,” Sangeethan added.

Co-founder and Managing Director of BAC Education Group, Mr Raja Singham, who has almost a similar journey to Sangeethan's, believes that starting from the bottom is an indispensable ingredient for a flourishing business.

Mr Raja Singham reminded students present to seize the opportunities presented to them. One can feel his enthusiasm and passion for his work as he encouraged them to "grab whatever life has to offer, you take it, and do your best." His words ring true as a reminder that success is attainable through diligence and perseverance.

“Starting from the bottom and working your way up is the best way to learn about a business. By learning everything as you climb up the ranks, you will develop a more comprehensive understanding of any business,” Mr Raja Singham continued.

The post-pandemic landscape has been tough on businesses, with workforce shortages presenting a significant challenge. However, with a fresh wave of graduates, hope is renewed.

“Although it may not be the complete solution to the problem, they certainly play a major role in filling the gap. This new development is a significant step towards progress and a testament to the resilience of both industry and graduates. With the influx of graduates in the market, businesses can finally breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that their needs will be met and they can continue to thrive in a postpandemic world. The future is bright, and with the help of these graduates, businesses are poised to embark on a new era of success,” Sangeethan shared his views about the labour shortage and its remedy.

“There’s a bit of a misconception about the hospitality industry. People think once they get in, they’ll only get a job as a waiter, or junior staff, and that it's hard to have a career growth or career graph in the industry. By collaborating with big companies like the Cinnamon Group and major hotels in the industry, we can align students’ career paths towards working with major companies. Such companies have systems and processes where they place interns or employees in various departments and train them. With that, the chance of them climbing the ladder is a lot better,” explained Nigel Gan, CEO of Reliance College.

“The hospitality and tourism industries are some of the most rewarding yet widely misunderstood sectors. The signing of this MOU is a significant step in aligning the students' career paths with the big players in the industry. Major companies have structured systems and processes that offer interns and employees the opportunity to work across various departments and receive comprehensive training. This will give students invaluable experience as they establish a foothold in the industry,” Nigel added.

This collaboration with the Cinnamon Group is all set to tap into personal and intellectual growth of students and faculty through industry mentorship, offering seamless internships and placements, while creating societal impact and developing economies.

The BAC Education Group looks forward to more fruitful collaborations and industry partnerships such as this, to nurture talents and future-ready graduates.