‘Midhyaf’ Celebrates Graduation of First Batch of Hospitality Ambassadors
26 October 2022
In conjunction with Oman’s celebration of Omani Youth Day, the Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group), today, celebrated the graduation of the first batch of youth from the ‘Midhyaf’ training for employment programme. It was launched in collaboration between the Ministry of Labour, Oman Tourism College and several hotels affiliated with the OMRAN Group’s investment portfolio. The graduation ceremony was held under the auspices of HE Sayyid Salem bin Muslim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour for Human Resources Development, at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in the presence of several officials and the parents of the graduates.
A total of 124 participants graduated from the ceremony, including 89 General Diploma recipients, 24 Diploma recipients, and 11 Bachelor’s degree recipients. The graduation followed four to nine months of on-the-job training in their respective fields. Participants in the Midhyaf programme could choose from seven professional courses to develop their skills, including Culinary, Food & Beverage, Front of House Operations, Hotel Operations Management, Accounting and Procurement, Sales and Marketing, and Housekeeping.
Speaking on occasion, HE Sayyid Salem Al Busaidi said: “We are pleased to announce the completion of Midhyaf’s first batch and the graduation of the participants. Having acquired the expertise and knowledge needed to perform to the international standards the OMRAN Group follows, they will soon begin work at the Group’s hospitality assets. This step reflects our shared goal of providing jobs in the Tourism Sector in line with Oman Vision 2040.
“We look forward to seeing the graduates start their careers in the hospitality sector of Oman, and we hope their positive impact will be felt by the facilities they’ll soon be working in. Also, we would like to thank the OMRAN Group for their commitment to this promising programme. I am confident it will serve to accommodate young Omani competencies, develop their skills and abilities, and qualify them to work in the field of tourism. “
Hashil bin Obaid Al Mahrouqi, Chief Executive Officer of the OMRAN Group, commented on the graduation ceremony, saying: “As we celebrate the graduation ceremony of the first batch of Midhyaf participants, we affirm our commitment to building a tourism sector led by the youth of our beloved country. By doing so, we will contribute to the diversification of our economy in line with Oman Vision 2040 and the national tourism strategy.
“Our appreciation goes out to everyone who has contributed to getting us to where we are today; especially the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and the programme participants who have shown a sincere desire to learn and their families who have continually supported them on their path to success.”
Overseeing the implementation of the Midhyaf programme was the Oman Tourism College, in conjunction with six internationally renowned academies and hospitality institutes. By following the highest standards of training, participants received the opportunity to earn up to eleven professional certificates based on the type of training programme they pursued. Participants were also trained in the foundational, specialised, and critical thinking skills necessary to advance their careers.
Qais Zahir Al Hosni, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oman Tourism College, added: “We are proud of the great commitment shown from the first day of the training program until now. As the first batch of graduates from the Midhyaf programme and we are confident that they will transfer the knowledge and skills they learned at OTC to their workplace. We hope this will be a starting point for them to put more work, learning, and effort into raising Oman’s profile in their respective fields and areas of expertise.”
Graduates of the first batch of the Midhyaf programme will soon be employed by OMRAN Group’s assets, including the W Muscat, Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah, Crowne Plaza Muscat, Crowne Plaza Duqm, Alila Jabal Akhdar, InterContinental Muscat, Barcelo Mussanah Resort, and Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.
As part of the graduation ceremony, OMRAN Group unveiled ‘Tumoohi Syiahi’, Arabic for “My ambition is tourism,” which will serve as an umbrella programme for all training and development initiatives. Among the programmes it will encompass are Midhyaf, the graduate development programme, the pathways programme (Masarat), and the ‘Tadreeb’ training programme. Furthermore, any future initiatives organised by the Group in cooperation with other relevant authorities for the development of the tourism sector or to provide national competencies that can propel the sector’s growth to greater prosperity will fall under ‘Tumoohi Syiahi’.