Graduation ceremony has been held for the first batch of students that participated in the Universal Foundations Discover Hospitality programme.

Five students were presented with the certificate for completing the course, and fresh batch which consisted of twenty-five students were given enrolment letters at the ceremony, which was held in Hotel Jen in Male City, Tuesday morning

The Discover Hospitality programme was launched in August as a joint initiative by Universal Foundation, the charity arm of one of the largest local conglomerates Universal Enterprises, and Villa College.

The Hospitality programme combines theory classes at Villa College and on the job training at Universals resorts namely Velassaru Maldives, Kurumba Maldives, Baros Maldives, Kuramathi Island Resort Maldives and Maafushivaru Maldives.

The six-month programme is accredited by the Maldives Qualification Authority (MQA), and a level three certificate is awarded upon the successful completion of the programme. Graduates can either join the industry or continue to certificate level four, followed by a degree.

Universal Foundation is a non-profit organisation that operates in the Maldives, which was founded by Universal Enterprises. The company is amongst the top resort developers in the country, and they own and manage the most extensive resort collection in the country.

The Universal Foundation was officially established in 2013. However, Universal Enterprises has been carrying out different programmes under its CSR initiatives since its inception and have very proudly sponsored over hundreds of students in a variety of fields through international scholarships and supported many worthy organisations.