English
Dr. Ali Abdelmohsen, Acting Vice President of Alexandria University for Education and Student Affairs, on behalf of Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, President of the University, together with Mr. Nihat Yucel, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria, and Dr. Abeer Attia, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Alexandria University, signed today, Sunday, 1st of December 2024, a joint cooperation agreement between Alexandria University (Faculty of Tourism and Hotels), and San Stefano Tourism Investment Company, owner of Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria, to establish a study program with an exchange education system (learning while working) under the name (Room Service and Food and Beverage Management).
The signing of the agreement was witnessed by Dr. Hanan El-Assar, Vice Dean of the Faculty for Education and Student Affairs, Dr. Nashwa Fouad, Vice Dean of the Faculty for Graduate Studies and Research, Dr. Jilan El-Demerdash, Head of the Department of Hotel Studies at the Faculty, and a group of educational institutions related to the tourism field in Alexandria, namely the Higher Institute of Tourism and Hotels (EGOTH), the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, the Higher Institute of Tourism and Hotels in King Mariout, the Ministry of Tourism in Alexandria, the Chamber of Hotel Establishments and the American Chamber of Commerce.
In his speech, Dr. Ali Abdelmohsen stressed that signing the protocol comes in line with the strategy of Alexandria University, headed by Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, which aims to link academia with industry, in addition to expanding exchange education programs, which provide students with the opportunity to learn while working at the same time. He added that Alexandria University is working to develop this strategy using the latest information and technology techniques, in order to graduate students who are able to compete in local, regional and international labour markets. He added that the agreement also aims to build bridges of partnership and achieve cooperation between Alexandria University and civil and private sector institutions in various fields, including tourism and hotels. Dr. Abdelmohsen thanked the Four Seasons management for signing this agreement, which will have a great impact on students, faculty members and the Four Seasons in developing the tourism sector in Alexandria.
Mr. Nihat Yucel expressed his pride to sign this agreement with Alexandria University, which is a leading university in the Middle East in various specializations in general and tourism and hotel specializations in particular. He stressed that Egypt is currently witnessing a major tourism boom as it is rich in history, civilization, culture and iconic monuments, which provides an opportunity for cooperation in other tourism fields. He explained that the agreement allows for the transfer of expertise to students in the tourism field and helps them acquire various skills through practical training in hotels. Mr. Yucel also stressed that Four Seasons Hotel has the necessary capabilities to support practical training for those enrolled in the (Room Service and Food and Beverage Management) program with Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria.
Dr. Abeer Attia confirmed that signing the agreement took three years of hard and diligent work to bring it to light and benefit students, noting that the agreement allows students to work and study at the same time, as the student enrolled in this program is called a "working student", stressing that the faculty is in the process of completing the executive regulations for the program and receiving the first batch starting from the next academic year. She pointed out that the study program is designed according to the credit hours system, as Alexandria University grants a bachelor's degree to the student who has successfully completed 123 credit hours.
This new program, "Four Seasons Hotel Program (Rooms Sector/Food and Beverage Sector)", and the conditions for joining it for students will be announced at the beginning of each semester, for students who have obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent, and in accordance with the decisions of the Supreme Council of Universities regulating this matter. Students are selected to enroll in this program at the beginning of each semester, through tests set by the management committee of this agreement according to the agreed upon rules and regulations set by Alexandria University and announced with complete transparency.
