Raffles Campus Business School

THEIR father runs a chain of 15 hotels in their home in Tamil Nadu, India.

But twins Vishwas and Vignesh Ram Muthukrishnan (right), 16, did not want to take the easy route to a career in the hospitality industry.

Instead, they left home last year to hone their skills.

They are now in Singapore pursuing an advanced diploma in hospitality management at the Raffles Campus Business School.

The course is conducted in collaboration with the Box Hill Institute in Victoria, Australia.

Vignesh said: "The Box Hill Institute is a well-recognised institute in the hospitality industry, so it was a natural choice."

The twins said their father wanted them to acquire the skills to do the job, not just learn more about it.

Vishwas said: "The course is totally hands-on and as part of the course, we get to work for established hotels to learn more about the industry."

Academic director Clement Franklin, 56, added: "Our course teaches you how to apply yourself in the job, so many of our graduates get high-level posts, like managers, straight away."

At the institute, classes have a mock-up of a hotel room and students learn everything about maintaining and running a hotel.

"From menial jobs like making the bed and housekeeping to actually running a hotel - we teach our students everything, so they can do almost any job in the hospitality industry," said Mr Franklin.

The twins are now into the third month of the three-year course.

"The classes are small, so every student gets the teacher's attention," said Vishwas.

In the few months they have been here, the twins have become fond of the school's quiet, green campus at Ulu Pandan Road and its international mix of students from China, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Russia.

"Talking to them has helped us learn about new languages and cultures," said Vishwas.

On weekends, the brothers explore various restaurants in Little India.

The best thing about these weekend jaunts?

"The thosai. It is even better than thosai in India," they chimed.

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