Third-year students of the Tourism educational programme at Esil University participated in an off-site practical session at the prestigious Hilton Astana hotel — one of Kazakhstan's leading hospitality industry venues, part of the international Hilton Hotels & Resorts network.
The purpose of the session was to deepen knowledge of hotel operations, enhance the level of professional training, and familiarise participants with world-class corporate service standards.
Immersion in the World of Professional Service
The off-site session was conducted under the supervision of Senior Lecturer and Master's degree holder Muslimbekova M.A., within the framework of disciplines aimed at developing the practical competencies of future specialists in the sphere of tourism and hospitality.
The meeting between students and representatives of the hotel took place in a business-like and inspiring atmosphere. The hotel and its operations were presented by Abilkasimova Nazymgul, Learning and Development Manager, who conducted a tour of the hotel's main departments and shared her experience in corporate staff development.
"At the heart of Hilton's success lies a culture of continuous learning. We believe that quality service is impossible without professionally trained and motivated staff," noted Nazymgul Abilkasimova.
Excursion and Professional Communication
During the visit, students toured the key areas of the hotel: • Front Office (Reception and Accommodation Service) — students became acquainted with the guest registration process, the reservation management system, and the principles of an individualised approach to each client; • Conference zones and business centre — learned about the specifics of servicing business events, including the MICE segment (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions); • Room stock — they observed the standards for preparing rooms of various categories, quality control procedures, and visual presentation requirements; • SPA complex and recreation area — participants became acquainted with the concept of wellness services and their role in shaping the hotel's image; • F&B Department (Food & Beverage) — students learned about the structure of restaurant services and the principles of banquet organization.
Special attention was devoted to the system of training and onboarding of new employees, the internal corporate culture, and the quality policy of Hilton, which is regarded as one of the most progressive in the hospitality industry.
Practical significance and professional development
Students noted that such practical sessions help not only to observe the operation of a hotel but also to appreciate the role of each service element in shaping the overall guest experience.
"Today's visit to the Hilton demonstrated to us that hospitality is an entire philosophy in which every detail matters — from the smile at the reception desk to the smallest elements of the room," shared a third-year student.
"We observed how the theory we study in classes is embodied in the specific actions of the staff. This truly motivates one to develop and grow professionally," noted another participant of the session.
The course instructor on the importance of practical training
"Theoretical knowledge acquires meaning only when a student observes how it is applied in a real professional environment. Such field visits enable us to cultivate a generation of specialists who understand the industry from within and are capable of applying best practices in the future," emphasised Muslimbekova M.A., Senior Lecturer of the Department of Social Work and Tourism.
Gratitude to partners
The department expresses its sincere gratitude to Abilkasimova Nazymgul, Training and Development Manager at Hilton Astana, for the warm reception, informative excursion, and the opportunity afforded to students to become acquainted with professional standards of international calibre.
Collaboration with leading industry representatives remains a priority direction of practice-oriented education for students of Esil University.