In a bid to address the growing need for professional training and development in the hospitality industry in Sri Lanka, Omega Global, the Sri Lankan partner for Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM) marked its entrance to the Sri Lankan market with a gala event at the Cinnamon Grand recently. Omega Global tied up with ANC Education, leading private education provider in Sri Lanka to facilitate the Emirates Academy Professional Development and Consultancy in the country. Their entrance into the Sri Lakan market is a first for the Dubai based academy. Hinting at a taste of what’s to follow, the gala event featured industry presentations on new dining concept and the latest global trends followed by live actions - cocktails and canapés incorporating Ceylon ingredients by International culinary masters such as Chef Scott Price, Chef Nick Alvis, master barmen Russell Shanchez and emirates academy team.

A host of distinguished invitees including Abdul Hamid Abdul Fattah Kazim Al Mulla, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, Ms. Judy Hau, Managing Director - Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, Mrs Marianne Saulwick, Director - Industry Liaison, Chef Scott Price, Chef Nick Alvis, Russell - Master Cocktailer.

“ANC Education values quality above all and EAHM has the expertise and the partnerships to offer excellent standards in its consultancy and training programs. This was the reason that we chose to go ahead with the tie up with Omega Global to introduce EAHM to the Sri Lankan market,” commented Dr Punarjeeva Karunanayake, CEO/Executive Director, ANC Education in his welcome address.

EAHM, a prestigious education provider with a focus on hospitality management, works in academic association with Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), the oldest and most respected hospitality school in the world. EAHM is the only academy that has established such an exclusive academic association with EHL in Switzerland.

EAHM has identified the unique industry opportunities and the paramount importance of hospitality and tourism in today’s world. Considered as the world’s fastest growing industry, the hospitality and tourism industry is expected to produce more than 303 million jobs in the world by 2020, representing 1 in every 11 jobs worldwide. Identifying the global trends in the hospitality industry, EAHM offers an array of professional development consultancy and services, assisting clients to achieve their overall organizational vision and specific requirements of their trainees. The academy provides internationally recognized study programs delivered by highly qualified faculty members drawn from all over the world coupled with strong partnerships within the hospitality industry.

Dr. W C J Alwis, Chairman ANC Education said, “Enhancing the quality of personnel through effective education and skills development will be critical to Sri Lanka’s long-term tourism growth and competitiveness. EAHM can pave the way to uplift the standard of travel and tourism industry in Sri Lanka.

Emirates Academy Professional training and consultancy offering in Sri Lanka will be directly administered by Dean of Emirates Academy Dr. Stuart Jauncey, Mrs. Marianne Saulwick, Director Industry Liaison, Dr.John Fong, Director of Business Development and top level professionals and experts of the Emirates Academy.

“The Sri Lankan hospitality industry requires 21st century approach towards training and development in the hospitality sector. Given its excellent track record and industry insight that it possesses, EAHM is poised to provide the level of consultancy and training required to produce top notch results. EAHM will undoubtedly provide an innovative approach beyond traditional training consequently producing hospitality industry leaders who will take the country’s tourism sector to the next level,” commented Manik Suriyaaratchi, Managing Director,Omega Global. Manik Suriyaaratchi, added that the state of art travel and tourism education hub will be unveiled in Second quarter of 2017 while utilizing existing star class hospitality venues to conduct professional development practical training.

Photo caption: From left: Dr Punarjeeva Karunanayake, CEO/Executive Director, ANC Education, Dr. W C J Alwis, Chairman ANC Education, Mrs Marianne Saulwick, Director - Industry Liaison, Ms. Judy Hau, Managing Director - Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, Manik Suriyaaratchi, Managing Director, Omega Global, Mr Sudesh Sudesh Kolonne, Director of Omega Global.