King Abdulaziz University launched its Institute of Tourism under the patronage of Prince Misha'l Bin Majed Bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Jeddah.Classes in the Institute of Tourism started in the second semester of this year, where a group of academics and instructors from top hotels in Saudi Arabia provides academic and practical lessons to 14 students. Studies at the Institute focus on the practical side so that graduates will achieve academic excellence and professional competence necessary to land them in high-paying jobs in the sector. Prince Misha'l was impressed about the facilities, saying: “Our confidence in the Saudi youths is significant.” He also commended the relations between King Abdulaziz University and Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne - Switzerland, considered as the first institute in the world in this field and is the academic and technical partner of the Institute. Dr. Osama Sadiq Tayeb, president of KAU, expressed his thanks and appreciation to Prince Misha'l for patronizing the opening ceremony of the Institute of Tourism. He pointed out that the idea of establishing the Institute started from the Saudi government's keen interest in tourism. He added that tourism has become a universal language between different cultures throughout the world and a key to positive opening in others. Moreover, he said tourism is considered as a channel for dialogue among cultures and religions initiated by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, in order to bridge the gap between religions and serve as a key factor for global tolerance, peace and security. Dr. Tayeb further said the University's efforts were consistent with the efforts of foreign and international experiences to ensure that the Tourism Institute will achieve its objectives, vision and mission. Dr. Zuhair bin Abdullah Al-Tayeb, dean of the Tourism Institute, assured that the Institute will seek, through its well-oriented programs, to prepare and present practical training programs that keep pace with the latest academic trends in both specialties (Travel and Tourism) and (Hotels and Hospitality), as well as to hone well-qualified graduates. The Institute will contribute to raising the awareness about tourism in the community, in addition to Saudization of tourism jobs and through meetings and exhibitions that encourage and promote tourism, as well as participation in local and international tourism events, he further said. The Institute will also enhance relationships with the international private and public sectors that serve the graduates, as well as enter into agreements and workshops to keep pace with the advancement and development in the industry. Al-Tayeb further said the establishment of the Institute was based on the a qualitative leap in tourism sector in Saudi Arabia and the government's realization of the importance of tourism as an industry sector that contributes to the economic development of the country on several levels, mainly by creating more job opportunities for citizens. He cited the statistics from the General Authority for Tourism and Antiquities this year indicating that direct and indirect job opportunities were forecast to reach about 974,000. He said the Institute signed an agreement with “Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne. He also said the university would not hesitate to contract anyone it deemed qualified for upgrading the level of Institute or any sector of the university. Pierre Haerod, consultant at Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne, was inspired with awe by the standard of King Abdulaziz University. He said the University provides a scientific environment suitable for students and faculty members, trainers and staff, and extolled the University as unique with its level of cooperation with global scientific educational entities. KAU's Institute of Tourism is comparable to major global institutes, and hope to see it further developed and prosper over the coming years.
