Qataris will now have the opportunity to gain basic knowledge and exposure in the hospitality industry with the launch of a unique leadership development programme, Tahseen.
An initiative of Katara Hospitality and Marriott International, the programme provides candidates with a world-class hospitality training and serves as a starting point to various career options.
“Tahseen is designed to empower the next generation of Qatari executives in the hospitality industry, helping us to consolidate and strengthen our position as Qatar’s flagship hospitality company,” said Katara Hospitality chairman Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani who was speaking at the official launching on Tuesday.
The event was also attended by Katara Hospitality CEO Abdulla al-Mulla, Marriott International CEO Arne Sorenson and its Middle East and Africa president and managing director Alex Kyriakidis, and guests.
Open to Qatari graduates, Sheikh Nawaf noted that they will initially select 50 students starting next year who will undergo 12 to 18 months of training under the programme.
Candidates will get full exposure to the business of running a hotel, giving them a well-rounded view of hotel management and the difference between an average hotel and an outstanding one.
Developed in co-operation with Cornell University, Injaz Al-Arab and Education for Employment, the programme offers graduates six months of cross-exposure to all departments and six to 12 months of ‘departmental specialisation,’ as well as access to Marriott’s world renowned core management development programmes.
Tahseen will also immerse candidates into all aspects of the hospitality industry and enrol them in eCornell certificate programmes combined with the university’s executive leadership workshop. It is tailored to the local culture and business environment of Qatar and the Middle East.
The programme will give candidates an opportunity to engage with people from around the world and collaborate with business leaders.
Besides the accelerated English language training, Education for Employment, an affiliated network of locally-run non-profit organisation in MENA, will also train the selected class of professionals on how to succeed in the workplace.
Sheikh Nawaf expects Tahseen to become a blueprint for training programmes that seek to develop national talent and raise industry standards.
“The delegates of this programme will be very lucky to participate, as they will have a unique opportunity to follow a career path in an exciting and growing industry, one in which Qatar is playing an increasingly active and influential role across the world,” the Katara Hospitality senior official stressed.
Candidates will be guided and trained by hospitality experts, coaches and mentors during the duration of the programme.
“We have long been focused on developing talent in the markets in which we operate and empowering diversity has always been critical to our business model,” Marriott International CEO Arne Sorenson said.
“Through our close collaboration with Katara Hospitality, we aim to help nurture the dreams and aspirations of young Qatari nationals and support the rapid growth the hospitality sector is forecast to sustain over the years,” the CEO said.

Katara Hospitality promoting Qatari talent

According to Katara Hospitality chairman Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani, Qatarisation is a vital part of Qatar National Vision 2030 and “we have long understood its importance.”
In 2011, Katara Hospitality announced an initiative of sponsoring 10 Qatari high school graduates to study at universities in Qatar for four years specialised in tourism and hotels, to enable them to assume leadership positions in one of its local hotels.
“We have taken every opportunity to foster and promote Qatari talent to leave an outstanding legacy for future generations,” Sheikh Nawaf said. “Today, we are proud to see these graduates holding executive roles either in Katara Hospitality or one of its local hotels in Qatar.”
Over the years, Katara Hospitality has implemented a range of training programmes for promising Qatari youth, and signed agreements with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Institute of Administrative Development, Stenden University and Qatar University, with a view to promoting and fostering national talent.
A total of 44 Qatari nationals are now working within Katara Hospitality and its local hotels with an increase of over 400% since 2011.
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