Sri Lanka’s first Swiss affiliated degree in tourism launched

Thursday, 28 February 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

BHMS Head of Project Development Dr. Charles Hains awards one of the students

of UCOL

UCOL signs an MoU with the Yathra program for drug eradication in the Western Province to offer vocational courses free of charge to rehabilitated youth

The hospitality and tourism school Universal College of Learning based in Wattala which held its third annual convocation ceremony at the BMICH last week launched Sri Lanka’s first Swiss affiliated degree in Hospitality and Tourism with the Business and Hotel Management School in Switzerland.

UCOL CEO Rilwan Razick, a former hotelier speaks at the 3rd annual convocation ceremony of UCOL held at BMICH

DIG of Western Province (North) Deshabandu Tennakkoon speaks to students on not giving in to peer

pressure and requests their support in eradicating drugs

The Switzerland based Business and Hotel Management School (BHMS) has seen a steady influx of students from Sri Lanka over the completion of a higher education degree, who are all employed in various star class hotel chains around the world, the placements of which are undertaken by BHMS.

“Over the years we have seen a renewed interest from students who want to pursue their studies in Switzerland. This includes students who have completed the TVEC accredited certificate and diploma courses at UCOL. Hence we have decided to offer the first year of the BHMS degree in hospitality management here at a fraction of the cost,” said UCOL CEO Rilwan Razick Azeez. “BHMS is one of the world’s leading hotel schools and students who follow their courses gain direct entry to management level jobs in the tourism sector.” UCOL, with its primary campus in Wattala is an institute approved Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission currently providing certificate and diploma level courses in hospitality, business management and tourism. The school offers paid internships as part of its ‘earn while you learn’ concept which affords underprivileged students the option of working part-time until they have completed their course.

The School also tied hands with the ‘Tell Direct’ drug eradication project implemented in the Western Province (North Range) under the guidance of Deputy Inspector General of Police for Western Province Deshabandu Tennakkoon to offer vocational courses free of charge to rehabilitated youth.

The ‘Yathra’ project has already rehabilitated over 500 youths from the province and aims to help the youth find means of employment through vocational programs.

Over 100 students graduated from the school last week bringing a total of 600 students who graduated from the school. Rilwan Razick said that all students are presently employed at leading establishments in the hotel and leisure sector.