New hospitality school lands on Desaru Coast

Taylor's University and Destination Resorts and Hotels (DRH) yesterday signed an MoU to develop a school for hospitality, tourism and culinary arts in Desaru Coast.

Under the agreement, DRH – backed by the Malaysian government’s investment arm Khazanah Nasional Berhad – will develop the school and infrastructure at Desaru Coast, while Taylor’s University’s School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts will supply the curriculum.

With Johor projected to see the opening of 40 new hotels in the next 10 to 12 years, the new school would train much-needed hospitality professionals for the future.

Eliena Gaman, director corporate strategy, DRH, said: “With the 3,500 job opportunities to be created in Desaru Coast within the next five years, it is critical for us to make available a sustainable platform for the supply of human capital to be placed in the various components at Desaru Coast.”

She added that students could be exposed to a real-life industry environment through practical trainings in Desaru Coast ranging from hotel management to theme park operations.

Spanning more than 1,578 hectares, Desaru Coast will also offer premium resorts and hotels, differentiated leisure attractions and a multi-purpose convention centre when it launches its first phase of development in 2015.

-TTG Asia.