- JOOUST has reportedly been considering outsourcing its hospitality and catering services to private operators, a proposal that has sparked concern among stakeholders.
- Sources have raised fears the move could increase meal costs for students while limiting hands-on training opportunities for those enrolled in hospitality-related programmes.
- The university has not confirmed a final decision on the proposal
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) is reportedly considering outsourcing its hospitality and catering services to private operators, a proposal that has sparked concern over its potential impact on students, food prices and practical training.
The proposal comes against the backdrop of the university having an established Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, as well as catering services within the institution. According to a source familiar with the proposal, outsourcing the services could see private businessmen take over operations currently associated with the university’s catering functions. The source raised concerns that the move could increase the cost of meals for students while potentially affecting the quality and affordability of food offered on campus.
There are also concerns about the implications for practical training. Students pursuing hospitality-related programmes require opportunities to translate classroom knowledge into practical skills, including food preparation, service, customer care and hospitality management. “If the university outsources the very services that its hospitality students are trained to provide, where will they get meaningful hands-on experience?” the source questioned.
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The concern is particularly significant given the university’s role in training students for the hospitality and tourism industry, with outsourcing key services potentially limiting opportunities for students to gain practical experience within their own institution. The source further questioned the rationale of training students in hospitality and catering while simultaneously relying on external operators to provide services that could otherwise offer a practical learning environment.
The proposal is reportedly still under consideration and has not been presented as a final decision. JOOUST has not publicly confirmed that all its hospitality and catering services will be outsourced. The development is likely to attract attention from students and other stakeholders, particularly those pursuing hospitality-related courses, with questions expected to arise over the potential impact on meal prices, service quality, employment opportunities and the university’s ability to provide practical training to its hospitality students.
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For students studying hospitality and catering, the central question remains: what message does outsourcing send when an institution trains students for an industry but potentially removes an opportunity for them to practise those skills within their own university?
By Antony Ogada
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