Australasian Academy launches Swiss hospitality qualifications to build and nurture world-class tourism and hospitality professionals in Sri Lanka
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Australasian Academy (AA) partners with International Management Institute (IMI), Luzern, Switzerland to offer quality, affordable courses, and open doors to global employment opportunities for Sri Lankans
Australasian Academy (AA) in partnership with IMI, Luzern, Switzerland announced the commencement of academic and training programmes in Sri Lanka. AA in partnership with IMI will offer globally recognised courses in world-class facilities for Sri Lankan students.
IMI Switzerland is one of the world’s leading schools for international tourism and hospitality management as well as culinary arts. It is ranked 15th for hospitality and tourism management studies in the 2021 QS World University Rankings by Subject and has a 30-year history of delivering top-class graduates into the industry.
Nishantha Jayasundara
Australasian Academy is one of the leading Hospitality Management and International Cookery training providers in Sri Lanka. AA has been diversifying into many areas in the higher education spectrum with the launch of the Swiss Hospitality programme, University Direct Placements this year. AA plans to introduce many newer major areas of study in partnership with highly ranked universities in 2022.
The official launch and signing of the agreement was held virtually due to prevailing pandemic constraints, with IMI represented by President of IMI, Mr. Heinz Burki, Chief Executive Officer and Academic Dean, Professor Theodore Benetatos, Deputy Dean, Professor Gareth Currier, Director of Partner Schools, Professor Gavin R. Caldwell and International Marketing Manager, Ms. Greta Frey. AA was represented by Managing Director, Mr. Kalum De Silva, Academic Director, Ms. Naima Markar and General Manger, Mr. Nishantha Jayasundara.
Kalum De Silva
Chief Executive Officer of IMI, Professor Theodore Benetatos said, “We at IMI are very much excited with this new partnership with AA in Sri Lanka to deliver our own Advanced Diploma. We are confident that talented Sri Lankan students will benefit well to achieve their dream career with the right education and training. We are committed for the long-term development of hospitality professionals from Sri Lanka with our new partnership with AA”.
IMI’s Director of Partner Schools, Prof. Gavin Caldwell added: “In challenging pandemic times, IMI Switzerland is delighted to extend and deepen our collaboration with AAH. Running recognized, IMI-certified programs in Columbo will provide opportunities to Sri-Lankan and regional students to obtain Swiss academic qualifications in a highly renowned local institution, underpinned by the highest of academic standards and Swiss quality. Everyone at IMI is confident of a successful partnership and future with AAH. Moreover, we look forward to welcoming the very first students from Sri Lanka later this year!”
Commenting on the launch Mr. Kalum De Silva, Managing Director AA, stated “Since our launch in 2018 we have been growing steadily as a specialised Hospitality Training Provider in Sri Lanka. With this partnership, AA becomes the first institution in Sri Lanka to offer an International Hotel and Tourism management qualification from the home for Hospitality, Switzerland, I am confident that this partnership will grow and help maximize the potential of our graduates”.
Academic Director of AAH, Ms. Naima Markar said, “We are excited of this new partnership with IMI. The demand for skilled professionals in the hospitality and tourism industry is increasing, both in the international and local markets. The IMI curriculum is focused and well designed to meet the demands of the industry. The academic knowledge and personal development skills Sri Lankan students will acquire will enable them to compete in the global market”.
Naima Markar
Australasian Academy is an Australian investor driven organization, is the first Sri Lankan learning centre to offer a 100% Swiss qualification in international hospitality and tourism management. The opportunity to learn hospitality and tourism management will be at AA’s best-in-class facility in Colombo 3, setting the stage for unparalleled learning experience, embedded with career-defining internship opportunities in star class hotels in Sri Lanka and overseas. The curriculum is balanced to gain expert knowledge and hands-on experience with specialist teaching to equip students with the necessary skills and employment opportunities to work in the hospitality industry both locally and abroad.
On completion of the Advanced Diploma at AAH students will have the option of completing a bachelor’s degree at IMI in Switzerland. This transfer pathway offered is the first such transfer programme in Sri Lanka and the most cost-effective bachelor degree pathway to Switzerland. Students will save over 60% of studying costs for the Swiss degree by attending the programme for two years (with a six month internship) in Sri Lanka, and then attending the final year in Switzerland – which also includes an internship in Switzerland with a minimum salary of SF 2,200 currently.
With the wide range of industry partnerships and University partnerships that IMI enjoy, the curriculum development has been done with valuable insights and input from the industry.
IMI also provide wide variety of Diplomas, Higher Diplomas and bachelor’s degrees in Hospitality, Culinary Management, Business and Marketing and Postgraduate programmes in hospitality and Events (MSc) and Postgraduate Diploma in Culinary Arts. The first intake of the Swiss programme in Sri Lanka will be October 2021.
For further information and enrolments, please contact 0766 895 896/ 0761 390 246