OTC signs partnership agreements to support Oman’s tourism sector
MUSCAT: Oman Tourism College (OTC) signed a series of partnership agreements with leading companies in the Sultanate’s hospitality and tourism sector as part of its long-term goals to integrate industry expertise with its academic and training programmes.
Fifteen companies
15 companies - including leading five star hotel chains and resorts - signed with OTC to collaborate and support a range of activities including industry experience for students and staff, guest lectures, contributing feedback regarding curriculum content and new course development, staff development for the company; and involvement in marketing.
Dr Abdulkaim Al Mughairi, dean of OTC said, “Oman Tourism College is taking its industry contacts to another level by establishing partnerships with those companies that would like to be part of further enhancing the college’s activities and the quality of the labour force.
“These partnership agreements will work towards ensuring OTC is in line with the industry trends, enhancing the quality of graduates and promoting the tourism and hospitality industry as a preferred career choice for the graduates.
“The partnerships established today reflect the continuous development of Oman Tourism College in ensuring that we produce quality graduates, who are, after all, the future employees of the industry. It also guarantees the industry relevance of our curriculum and provides students with immense opportunity to gain invaluable industry experience.”
OTC students obtain real world experience by securing compulsory professional internships, which enhances their skills, competencies and confidence in the workplace.
“We feel it is important for us to support the young people coming to university and to tie up with OTC. We encourage every kind of training in this sector as we are planning ahead for the future; students will get experience from the different departments in our hotel,” said Morton Johnston, general manager of The Chedi.
Adel Al Abri, Uniboats founder said, “We thank OTC for this initiative so that students can be even more be involved in the tourism sector and get hands-on experience. Since our relationship with OTC started in 2013, we have launched successful initiatives to help hone students’ employability skills to in different categories of the sector.”
Paul J. Murphy, general manager, Grand Hyatt Muscat noted, “Grand Hyatt had worked with OTC in the past and we are proud to be collaborating with them once again. For me it is more than an agreement, it is a pledge of support. We are keen on helping OTC develop its students for a future in the industry by giving them the right kind of exposure. We have 280 rooms and very expansive food and beverage facilities so students can learn what it is to work in a very busy environment.”
Among the companies that signed first the partnership agreements were The Chedi; Al Bustan Palace; the Zahara Group; Mazaya, OITE; Park Inn by Radisson; Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve | City Hotel Duqm | Masira Island Resort |Uwaifiyah Rest House; Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre; Holiday Inn Al Seeb; Al Mouj Golf; Kempinski Hotel Muscat; Grand Hyatt Muscat;Shangri-La Crowne Plaza Muscat and Al Loomie.