Today's Edition
Kuumar Shyam (Aletihad)
The Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) is bringing the world’s leading culinary education providers Les Roches to the UAE capital to launch the region’s first hospitality academy in collaboration with Sommet Education. The academy is scheduled to commence operations in September next year.
Founded in 1954 in Switzerland, Les Roches ranks fourth in the world’s higher education institutions for hospitality and leisure management (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2023). The hospitality education academy will be defined by its objective to provide hospitality skills and academic knowledge to nurture homegrown talent in the UAE, GCC and Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “In line with our vision of inspiring journeys of creativity and discovery, the new academy will play a key role in ensuring the long-term sustainable growth of the hospitality industry overall, propelling future generations with a keen interest to reach their full potential.
“Accelerating high potential industries such as hospitality through collaboration and strategic partnerships will continue to contribute to Abu Dhabi’s growth as a dynamic and sustainable hub for tourism. Celebrating Emirati hospitality and culture, the academy will add to our diverse ecosystem that preserves, promotes and embodies Abu Dhabi’s heritage and innovative spirit.”
The UAE is a melting pot of cultures and by extension, the cuisines and tastes of various parts of the world coming together in the biggest fusion in the country, a global cosmopolitan hub in all aspects.
Having facilitated the partnership, Benoît-Etienne Domenget, CEO of Sommet Education, told Aletihad: “We look at arrangements in various countries with not just the purpose of setting up something for the sake of it. Besides other financial dynamics, we would like to ascertain the interests of the markets where we are going, and enter only when we are sure that all parties will benefit.
“We are excited to be involved in a project that is born out of the leadership’s vision for the future of the hospitality sector in the emirate, and honoured to support Abu Dhabi in putting people’s development as a strategic priority,” Domenget said.
Carlos Díez de la Lastra, CEO of Les Roches Global Hospitality, said: “This moment marks a new chapter in the history of a country and a region that have some of the most prestigious hotels in the world, and that are futureproofing themselves by training and preparing the next generation of industry leaders that uphold the values and authenticity of Emirati hospitality. We are very honoured to be part of this unique journey and contribute to raise the talents of tomorrow for the country.”
The academy aims to focus on the practices and values of the UAE within its curriculum. The programme and methodology seeks to support the hospitality sector by cultivating local talent with high quality education and skills needed for the industry’s future.
The academy will feature a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees. The curriculum includes a range of hospitality-related and practical skills certifications, across areas including hotel operations, travel, tourism, transport and entrepreneurship.
According to Domenget, the course programmes could include minor certificate programmes and some for the online platform at a later stage.
