Singapore-based SHATEC Institutes will establish its first overseas hospitality training and culinary arts college in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with classes likely to commence in 4Q2023.
Describing the planned college as a “milestone” for the hospitality management institute that has been in service for more than four decades, SHATEC’s CEO Lim Boon Kwee said it “marks an instrumental step towards further development and global expansion for the institution”.
“This will be our first academy outside of Singapore although we have acted as consultants to several overseas colleges in the past,” Lim told TTG Asia in an interview.
The college will be a joint effort between Saudi-owned Modern Hospitality Company (MHC) and SHATEC Institutes, with both signing an agreement on March 15. The signing ceremony was witnessed by two deputy ministers from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism – Mahmoud S Abdulhadi and Mohamed M Bushnag – along with Singapore ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Wong Chow Ming.
The establishment of the school underscores Saudi Arabia’s quest for tourism advancement and excellence as part of its Vision 2030 mandate, as well as the Ministry of Tourism’s commitment to training youths and locals in the profession.
Lim said SHATEC’s role in this collaboration would be to provide consultancy services, expert knowledge and advice to the academy’s pre-opening team. It will also serve as the educational partner of the academy.
“SHATEC is committed to assisting its partner in Saudi Arabia on human capital development in Saudi Arabia by offering curricula in our proprietary diplomas in Accommodation & Room Operations, and Culinary & Pastry Art,” he added.
