Hospitality scholarship open to young Kuwaitis

His Excellency Sheikh Mubarak Abdulla Al Mubarak Al Sabah, the company’s chairman said that the scholarship programme is held in conjunction with the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM).

“We will fully sponsor the successful candidate in the one-year EAMH Master of Science in International Hospitality,” said Sheikh Mubarak.

The programme is run out of the Academy’s Dubai-based purpose-built facilities, in academic association with the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland.

Sheikh Mubarak said that Action Hotels is committed to supporting the education and leadership training by helping to nurture the next generation of hospitality industry professionals from Kuwait.

“The tourism industry in the Middle East will require an extra 1.5 million team members by the year 2020. Our aim is to help plug the management gap with fresh Kuwaiti talent.”

He mentioned that very few GCC nationals are employed in the regional hospitality industry.

“Just two per cent of Bahraini, Omani, Saudi and Kuwaiti nationals are employed in the hospitality sector. In the UAE, the figure is slightly higher at nine per cent but is still not enough. We feel that it is our responsibility to help show our young talent just what a compelling career the hospitality sector can be.”

Sheikh Mubarak noted that the average age of Kuwait’s population is 28.5 years with 25 per cent aged between 15 and 29.

“Kuwait’s population statistics speak for themselves. We are reaching out to assist ambitious young Kuwaiti nationals get a kick-start in one of the world’s fastest growing industries,” he said.

Alain Debare, General Manger, Action Hotels confirmed that the EAHM MA is the only fully-accredited hospitality management degree of its kind in the region.

“We are impressed by the rigor of the curriculum and the shared learning opportunities available at the Emirates Academy. This degree programme provides a wonderful platform for aspiring hospitality professionals.”

He said that the Action Hotels Hospitality Management Scholarship will help equip talented individuals with a passion for the service sector, with the knowledge, skills and confidence required in executive and senior managerial roles within the hospitality industry.

Meanwhile, EAHM’s Stuart Jauncey noted that the hotel industry is now the world’s largest, most diverse, and most exciting industry.

“Hospitality is a sector that is rapidly expanding in the Middle East. In tandem, the region needs senior managers who possess the highest levels of applied business skills.

“The masters’ degree in International Hospitality Management at the Emirates Academy aims to develop these skills and to equip and prepare graduates for outstanding careers as the industry leaders of the future.”

He confirmed that curriculum is recognised by the wider hospitality industry and is accredited by the UAEs Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Debare concluded that on successful completion, Action Hotels will also offer an employment opportunity with Action Hotels or one of its subsidiaries to the degree holder.

The 2011 Action Hotels Hospitality Management Scholarship application is open to Kuwaiti nationals only and is currently available through the Careers section of the Action Hotels website www.actionhotels.com. Application deadline is 15 June 2011.