29 June 2026
On June 25, 2026, the Benilde Marketing Center hosted its Graduate in Focus session online via Zoom. The event introduced three graduate pathways under the School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management.
Rebekah Hashmi, Coordinator for Graduate School Programs at Benilde Marketing Center, welcomed participants and invited them to share in the chat where they were tuning in from and what industry they belonged to. “This event aims to provide you with a deeper understanding of our graduate programs and how they can support your professional growth,” she said. She explained that the session would cover the Master of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management (MSTHM), the Doctor in Tourism and Hospitality Management (DTHM), and the Doctor of Philosophy in Tourism and Hospitality Management by Research (PhD THM by Research).
Dr. Teddy S. Manansala, Chairperson of SHRIM Graduate Programs, led the presentation. “These are the higher studies of the future, designed for professionals, educators, researchers, and industry leaders who want to advance tourism and hospitality management,” he said. He described SHRIM’s graduate education as combining academic rigor, professional practice, and industry relevance.
The MSTHM program develops leadership and managerial skills while deepening awareness of current issues in tourism and hospitality. Students complete 24 units of coursework, a comprehensive exam, and 6 units of thesis writing. “The program supports students in analyzing complex situations in areas such as marketing, finance, human resource management, operations, and strategic management,” Dr. Manansala explained. Thesis work must be shared through publication or presentation.
The DTHM program is a professional doctorate designed for experienced practitioners, educators, and consultants. It requires 24 units of coursework, a comprehensive exam, and 12 units of dissertation writing. “The dissertation should be applied in the industry or work setting,” Dr. Manansala said. Dissertations undergo a public defense, with audiences invited to attend.
The PhD THM by Research is the first of its kind in the Philippines for a hotel school. It is a research‑intensive doctorate requiring 36 units of dissertation work across three years. Students must produce three dissertations and publish at least one in a peer-reviewed journal. “This pathway is for those who want to pursue advanced scholarship and knowledge production in tourism and hospitality,” Dr. Manansala said.
Participants asked about flexibility. One question was whether classes could be taken online from overseas. Dr. Manansala explained that SHRIM implements hybrid learning. “If you are abroad, you can attend via Zoom while your classmates are on site,” he said. Another asked about scheduling. He confirmed that graduate classes are held mainly on Saturdays.
Dr. Manansala also shared his own background. A registered nutritionist‑dietitian, he has served Benilde since 2005 and completed both his master’s and PhD degrees under the Faculty Study Grant, one of the school’s initiatives to support faculty development. His master’s thesis on street food safety was published in the Suravat International Journal of Tourism in 2019. Benilde also extends support through national programs such as the CHED SIKAP Grant, which provides scholarships for faculty and staff pursuing graduate studies.
Graduate in Focus sessions are organized by the Benilde Marketing Center. Special sessions can be arranged online for interested groups, giving participants the chance to hear directly from faculty, learn about program pathways, and understand how SHRIM builds leadership and research into graduate education.
For more information on Benilde’s graduate programs, contact us at inquire.graduatestudies@benilde.edu.ph or fill out our inquiry form at https://forms.gle/nrYqVk2zNhbo5GP29. You may also visit our website at www.benilde.edu.ph.
