2024
1 OctÂ鶹´«Ã½Ó³» University Partners with World Association of Master Chefs
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»
From left: Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» University dean of Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management Assoc Prof Dr Hanafi bin Hamzah, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» University deputy vice-chancellor, Academic and Internationalisation Kuala Lumpur campus, Prof Datuk Dr Rohana binti Yusof, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» University vice-chancellor and president Prof Emerita Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» University pro-chancellor Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Zain Al-¡¯Abidin ibni Tuanku Muhriz, World Association of Master Chefs chairman Sunly Lo, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Group founder and executive chairman Dato¡¯ Peter Ng and World Association of Master Chefs global president Prof Gaven Ferguson.
KUALA LUMPUR: Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» University is now the sole educational and corporate partner of the World Association of Master Chefs in Malaysia.
With a network of over 100,000 members including 15 Michelin-starred chefs, the international organisation stands out for its global reach in its efforts to promote the development and exchange of global hospitality culture.
This alliance paves the way for Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»¡¯s culinary and hospitality students to participate in international competitions, undergo overseas training and secure industry placements at leading establishments worldwide.
The partnership was inaugurated by Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, alongside Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» University pro-chancellor Yang Amat Mulia, Tunku Zain Al-¡¯Abidin and World Association of Master Chefs global president, Prof Gaven Ferguson.
In his speech, Mustapha emphasised the need for more talent in the industry as Malaysia¡¯s travel and tourism sector is poised for a remarkable year, with record-breaking contributions to the economy, employment and domestic visitor spending.
¡°Malaysia is set to experience growth in its tourism sector for the year 2024, welcoming over 7.56 million foreign visitors in the first four months, representing a 27.5% increase compared to the same period last year.
¡°Employment in travel and tourism is also expected to grow significantly this year, with job numbers estimated to exceed 2.4 million, marking a 5.2% increase from last year.¡±
He further commended Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»¡¯s commitment to elevating Malaysia¡¯s hospitality and culinary sectors, especially through its contributions to Technical and Vocational Education and Training programmes.
This collaboration marks the latest milestone for Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»¡¯s Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management, which is ranked among the top 100 hospitality schools in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» vice-chancellor and president, Prof Emerita Datuk Siti Hamisah Tapsir, expressed confidence in the partnership, emphasising that it aligns with the objectives of both the Higher Education Ministry and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
¡°Malaysia has always stood out as a global tourism hub. To sustain this momentum, we need top talents and bespoke experiences to attract more high-spending tourists¡±, she said.
¡°Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» stands ready to meet this need and we will do more to engage talented young people who may opt for non-traditional educational pathways through hands-on, vocational training initiatives.¡±
This collaboration follows Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»¡¯s Kuching campus being recently recognised as Malaysia¡¯s leading institution in the hospitality sector for vocational education.
Ranked in the world¡¯s top 1% in the QS World University Rankings 2025 by virtue of its top 265 ranking, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» University stands out as one of Asia¡¯s top private universities.
