Serena and NUST Ink MOA for Fostering Gender Equality through Serena Management Trainee Programme
Serena Hotels has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with National University of Science & Technology (NUST) to induct female graduates from NUST Business School (NBS) into the Serena Management Trainee Programme. Engr Javed Mahmood Bukhari, Rector NUST, and Mr Aziz Boolani, CEO Serena Hotels South and Central Asia, signed the agreement at a ceremony held at the Serena Hotel Islamabad on Monday. Prominent amongst others present at the occasion were NUST Pro-Rectors, Dean NUST Business School and representatives of the business and hospitality sectors.
The MoA offers an excellent opportunity to female graduates of NBS for hands-on experiential learning and training in the field of Hospitality Management in a structured and professional setting. The one-year programme will provide the Management Trainees with immersive learning to equip them with a holistic view of the business, as well as understanding the inter-relationships between different functional departments. The training is envisaged as an accelerated pathway that will help unlock their advancement to higher-level management positions in the industry.
Speaking at the occasion, Rector NUST stated that Pakistan has immense tourism potential, and high-quality education and training programmes – like the one being offered under the newly signed agreement – are fundamental to compete and excel globally in the hospitality sector. He expressed his gratitude to Serena Hotels for partnering with NUST, adding the collaboration would lay foundation for the launch of undergraduate programmes in Tourism and Hospitality at NUST. He maintained that NBS students would sure find a career progression opportunity in the Trainee Management programme.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr Boolani said that the number of female professionals in the Hospitality sector is conventionally low. As a leading hotel chain in Pakistan, Serena Hotels makes every effort to assist women in their professional development and eventually assuming higher echelons. He contended that companies can deliver greater business impact and be more competitive by fostering an equitable and inclusive workplace for women and men. Mr Boolani particularly expressed his gratitude to Rector NUST, Dean NBS and the Serena team for making the collaboration possible.