At Western Community College, we believe that the best learning happens when classroom instruction intersects with real-world expertise. That belief came to life recently when we welcomed Dr. Vaishali Sethi, Associate Professor at University Canada West, as a guest speaker for our Bachelor of Hospitality Management (BHM) Seminar — a session that gave students a meaningful window into the world of academic research and its practical applications in the hospitality industry.
The seminar was facilitated by two dedicated members of the WCC faculty: Dr. Parinita Malhotra and Harleen Aggarwal. Together, they created the conditions for a session that was intellectually rigorous, practically grounded, and genuinely inspiring for students at every stage of their academic journey.
About Dr. Vaishali Sethi
Dr. Vaishali Sethi brings a wealth of academic and research experience to her role as Associate Professor at University Canada West, one of British Columbia’s leading business-focused universities. Her expertise spans research methodology, academic writing, and business education — areas that are deeply relevant to students pursuing careers in dynamic, evidence-driven fields like hospitality management.
Her willingness to engage with students outside her own institution speaks to a broader commitment to collaborative education and knowledge-sharing across the post-secondary sector. We are grateful that she chose to invest her time and expertise in our BHM community.
Why Research Skills Matter in Hospitality Management
Hospitality is often thought of as a relationship-driven field — and it is. But behind every excellent guest experience, every operational decision, and every strategic initiative lies a foundation of data, evidence, and informed judgment. That’s why research literacy is not just an academic requirement for BHM students; it’s a professional imperative.
Whether it’s analyzing customer satisfaction trends, evaluating service delivery models, or designing employee engagement programs, hospitality professionals who understand how to gather, interpret, and apply research are better equipped to lead. Dr. Sethi’s session helped students make that connection — linking the academic skills they are developing in the classroom to the real-world challenges they will face in their careers.
Exploring Research Methodologies
Dr. Sethi opened the session by grounding students in the foundational distinction between qualitative and quantitative research — two approaches that, while different in method, are often complementary in practice.
Quantitative research deals with numbers, measurements, and statistical analysis. It’s the approach behind surveys, experiments, and large-scale data studies. Qualitative research, by contrast, focuses on understanding meaning, context, and human experience — through interviews, focus groups, ethnographic observation, and case studies.
For hospitality students, both approaches have direct applications. Want to know how satisfied guests are with a new check-in experience? Quantitative methods can give you a measurable answer. Want to understand why guests feel a certain way — or how staff experience a policy change on the ground? Qualitative methods will get you closer to the truth.
Dr. Sethi helped students see that choosing between these approaches is not arbitrary. It begins with asking the right question — and then selecting the methodology best suited to answer it. Students explored how to frame a research problem clearly, identify the right research design, and think through the practical considerations that shape how a study is structured.
The session also covered data collection and analysis techniques, giving students a more concrete sense of what research looks like in practice: how you gather information systematically, how you process and interpret it, and how you draw conclusions that hold up to scrutiny. These are skills that apply whether students go on to pursue graduate studies, contribute to industry research, or simply need to evaluate information critically in their professional roles.
APA Citation: The Language of Academic Credibility
One of the most practical portions of the session focused on APA citation practices — a topic that may seem administrative but carries real significance.
Citing sources accurately is more than a formatting exercise. It is an act of intellectual honesty. It tells readers where ideas came from, allows others to trace the evidence, and situates a piece of work within the broader scholarly conversation. For students learning to write at a university level, mastering APA citation is one of the building blocks of professional credibility.
Dr. Sethi walked students through the essentials: how to format in-text citations, how to construct a reference list, and how to handle common sources like journal articles, books, and online materials. More importantly, she helped students understand why these conventions exist — so that the practice feels purposeful rather than mechanical.
For students who will one day write reports, business cases, or research papers in a professional context, these habits of accurate attribution are invaluable.
Research Ethics: Thinking Beyond the Data
Perhaps the most thought-provoking portion of the session was the discussion of research ethics — the principles and responsibilities that govern how research is conducted and reported.
Dr. Sethi guided students through foundational concepts like informed consent (ensuring participants understand and agree to how their information will be used), data privacy (protecting the identities and personal details of those involved in research), and the ethical treatment of research participants more broadly.
These discussions challenged students to think critically about the relationship between researchers and the communities they study. Research is never neutral — it involves power, trust, and responsibility. When students understand this early in their academic careers, they are better prepared to approach their own work with integrity and to evaluate the research of others with a discerning eye.
For hospitality students, ethical awareness is particularly relevant. The industry routinely handles sensitive guest data, relies on employee feedback, and operates in diverse communities. The habits of mind cultivated through research ethics — respect, transparency, accountability — translate directly to professional practice.
An Interactive Session That Put Students at the Centre
What distinguished this session was not just the content, but the approach. Rather than delivering a traditional lecture, Dr. Sethi structured the session as an interactive dialogue — inviting students to raise questions, share their perspectives, and engage with real-world research challenges.
This kind of active learning is something Western Community College actively cultivates. When students are asked to think rather than simply receive, they build deeper understanding and retain more. They also develop the confidence to engage with complex material — a skill that will serve them long after the seminar is over.
The engagement in the room reflected how well the session landed. Students came away not just with new knowledge, but with a renewed sense of why that knowledge matters.
Building Bridges Between Institutions
This seminar is a reflection of something WCC is deeply committed to: building academic partnerships that enrich the student experience. When faculty and experts from different institutions come together, students benefit from a broader range of perspectives, networks, and ideas than any single program can offer on its own.
Collaborations like this one with University Canada West and Dr. Sethi are an investment in that vision. They signal to students that their education is connected to a wider academic community — and that the relationships they build during their time at WCC can extend far beyond the classroom.
We look forward to deepening this collaboration and to creating more opportunities for our students to learn from distinguished educators and practitioners across British Columbia and beyond.
Thank You
We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Vaishali Sethi for her generosity, expertise, and genuine enthusiasm for student learning. Her contribution to this seminar made for an experience that students will carry with them throughout their academic and professional journeys.
We also thank Dr. Parinita Malhotra and Harleen Aggarwal for organizing and facilitating such a thoughtful and impactful session for our BHM students.
Gurpal Dhaliwal · Rimpy Dhaliwal · Raj Hundal · Vandana Khetarpal · Brandie Y. · Daren Hancott · Karanvir Sekhon · Stephen A.
Western Community College is committed to delivering education that prepares students for the real world — through strong academic programs, meaningful industry partnerships, and a community of dedicated educators. To learn more about our Bachelor of Hospitality Management program, visit wcc.bc.ca.
