Saraya Aqaba, in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Jordan, announced during a press conference held today, the launch of the 'Saraya Scholarship Fund' in the fields of hotels & hospitality, focusing on the academic enrichment of the community of Aqaba in those fields.
The press conference which was held at Le Royal Hotel, during the Jordan Economic Forum, was attended by Secretary General Dr. Mohammed Abu Qudeis from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mr. Ali Kolaghassi, CEO, Saraya Aqaba and a number of officials from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
"On behalf of Saraya Aqaba, I would like to thank the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for supporting this initiative and for their continuous efforts in enhancing the level of education in the Kingdom. Saraya believes in the importance of contributing to communities as part of its overall philosophy,” said Mr. Kolaghassi.
Furthermore he added, "We are aware of the importance of seeking distinguished individuals in the fields of hotels and hospitality especially with the increase in demand arising from the growing service industry.”
Mr. Kolaghassi also stressed that this initiative is one of several initiatives being introduced as part of Saraya Aqaba's social responsibility scheme; calling for the private sector to exert further efforts in cooperating with the public sector to develop the level of services in Aqaba, in order to boost tourism in Aqaba and Jordan as a whole.
Saraya Aqaba's scholarships allow 10 high school graduates from Aqaba, with Tawjihi grades over 70% who are interested in pursuing careers in the fields of hotels and hospitality, to obtain their University's degree in those fields outside of Jordan. Scholarships will cover university fees and all additional expenses accrued over the course of the four-year university period. Upon graduation, students will be employed for a set period at one of Saraya Aqaba's five 5-star hotels.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Saraya Aqaba's role in contributing to the education of Jordanian youth, as well as all the other parties that have participated in making the Saraya Scholarship Fund a reality. These opportunities are important to Jordanians and positively impact the enhancement of students’ skills which inadvertently benefits the process of enriching the human resources of Jordan," said Dr. Abu Qudeis.
He added: 'It is very important to motivate the Jordanian youth through giving them the opportunity of special training, and improving their experience which will benefit them, the community, and the overall standards of services, as well as the economy of the Kingdom on a larger scale.”
From his side, Mr. Kolaghassi thanked the Ministry and added that Saraya Aqaba's scholarships will be initially limited to qualified students from the Aqaba region, and will extend to cover other Governorates if minimum requirements were not met.
Saraya's Scholarship Fund will be headed by a committee of the General Secretary, and the Director of the Scholarships & Students' Affairs Directorate at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in addition to the Human Resources & Administration Manager and the Media Communication & Public Relations Manager at Saraya. A fifth member will be assigned by both Saraya and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
