Dr Sasi Gangiah, an academic from the Faculty of Management Sciences’ Department of Hospitality and Tourism, recently clinched top honours at the 17th Global Conference on Business and Social Sciences (GCBSS) 2025 in Bali, Indonesia, where she was named Best Presenter.
Her presentation focused on “Mapping a Multi-Theoretical Framework Towards Social Consciousness in Hospitality Education.” The research examined the transformative role of hospitality education in cultivating social responsibility among students and industry professionals, focusing on sustainable practices, ethical leadership, and community engagement. The key objectives were to: (1) Analysing the integration of social responsibility principles into hospitality curricula and their effectiveness in developing awareness of sustainable tourism, environmental stewardship, and community-centred approaches, and (2) Evaluating the impact of experiential learning and industry-academia partnerships on fostering ethical decision-making and prosocial behaviours.
“Being recognised as the Best Presenter at an international conference like GCBSS is an academic achievement, confirming the relevance of the topic to the global hospitality education community and the presentation,” said Dr Gangiah.
She was inspired to conduct this research because it addresses the critical need to move hospitality education beyond traditional commercial boundaries. It recognises that hospitality encompasses fundamental human virtues and societal functions, requiring a multi-dimensional approach that includes: (a) social consciousness as interconnectedness awareness, and (b) elements like (re-)connection with places and beings, compassion fostering altruism, and creativity. She shared that the HOST (Hospitality-Oriented Society of Tomorrow) framework conceptualises generosity, warmth, problem-solving, and cultural awareness in hospitality, and its application, infusion, and extension into sectors like healthcare and education.
“Presenting at GCBSS 2025 provided an international platform to share research on transformative hospitality education with a global audience of scholars and practitioners. Bali, a Hindu island, resonated well with my cultural experience,” explained Dr Gangiah.
For Dr Gangiah, based on the research focus, the key takeaways from the conference were: (1) The growing global recognition of social responsibility in hospitality education, (2) The importance of industry-academia partnerships, (3) The need for experiential learning approaches, and (4) International perspectives on sustainable tourism and ethical hospitality practices.
Winning the Best Presenter award has left her both humbled and excited about the future, “This recognition highlights the importance of integrating social responsibility into hospitality education on an international platform, affirming the research direction and potentially opening doors for further academic discussions and publications in this critical area,” said Dr Gangiah.
The research, which stood out from the rest because of its innovative multi-theoretical framework, practical relevance in addressing sustainable practices, ethical leadership, and community engagement, as well as its integration of contemporary concepts such as social consciousness into traditional hospitality education has also sparked potential international collaborations on hospitality programmes, with Dr Gangiah confirming that two university professors have expressed interest in partnering with DUT.
The study contributes to her broader field of study by: (a) providing a comprehensive multi-theoretical framework for integrating social responsibility into hospitality education, (b) bridging the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application in hospitality education, (c) emphasising experiential learning and embodied understanding beyond intellectual comprehension.
“Mentorship is crucial in guiding emerging researchers in the right direction. Seeking guidance in finalising the theme for the conference was helpful. Leadership also plays a key role in supporting staff in their endeavours. I am thankful to my Head of Department, Prof Oswald Mhlanga, for encouraging me to participate in the conference,” said Dr Gangiah.
Pictured: Dr Sasi Gangiah
Zandile Mahlobo
