Academy signs pact with hotels

 AS THE Government aims to make Langkawi a top tourist destination, a sizable and qualified workforce will be needed to cater to this goal.
In this regard, the Langkawi Tourism Academy recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with 17 hotels in Langkawi to help produce fit-for-industry graduates.
The MoU formalised the hotels’ prior agreement with the academy to provide internship opportunities for its students.
One of the participating hotels is The Datai, Langkawi, whose general manager Anthony Sebastian said the project would address the shortage of local talents.

Saying thanks: Mohamed Khaled (front row, centre) receiving a token of appreciation from Prof Hassan, after witnessing the signing of the MoU. Looking on (next to Mohd Khaled) is Ab Rahim.
“I laud this initiative as it is a way to entice locals to remain within the island,” he said, adding that only 70% of the hotel’s workforce was made up of locals.
Previously known as Kolej Komuniti Langkawi, the academy was rebranded in an upgrading exercise carried out last year by the Higher Education Ministry and Taylor’s University.
The setting up of the academy is one of the 14 initiatives laid out in the Langkawi Tourism Blueprint 2011-2015, which maps out a plan to make the island a “global top 10 island and eco destination by 2015”.
Speaking at the event, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the ministry had appointed Taylor’s University in 2011 to act as project consultant to establish the academy.. more below 

Link :
http://thestar.com.my/education/story.asp?file=/2013/2/24/education/12725317&sec=education
 http://www.taylorstimes.com/issue03/spotlight1-langkawi-blueprint-mou.php

Academy signs pact with hotels