Staff from Sheffield Business School are working with the Hashoo Group on a consultancy basis ahead of the launch of the Hashoo School of Hospitality Management, which is due to open in September 2019.
The school, to be based in Bani Gala, Islamabad, will offer a new two-year hospitality diploma for students in Pakistan, who will then have the opportunity to complete an additional third year at Sheffield Hallam University to achieve a BSc in International Hospitality Management.
Professor Kevin Kerrigan, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise and Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam University, said: "I am very proud to be a part of this initiative. This is a true collaboration between business professionals, academic organisations and countries for the greater good and we look forward to working closely with our colleagues from the Hashoo Group.
"Sheffield Hallam University is driving future economies by collaborating and consulting on exciting projects such as this, not only in the UK but around the world."
Steven Henderson, group chief commercial and strategy officer for the Hashoo Group said: "This is a really exciting time for Pakistan and the Hashoo Group. International interest in Pakistan and growing investment in the country - such as through the belt and road project, linked to the huge growth in tourism - will require hospitality professionals for which Hashoo are keen to contribute an educational hub."
The Hashoo group is the key player in the hospitality industry in Pakistan and operates the five-star Pearl-Continental Hotels and Marriott Hotels as well as the Hotel One brand. It is launching four new five-star Pearl-Continental hotels in the country this year but the chairman of the Hashoo Foundation and Deputy Chairman /CEO of the Hashoo Group Mr Murtaza Hashwani is additionally keen to invest in staff training and development within the hospitality and tourism sector.
The aim is to enrol 400 hospitality management students annually who will study modules in academic and professional services; business analysis for the service sector; global food, drink and society; hospitality principles and practices; management of food and beverage operations; marketing; communications; hotel outlet management and managing hospitality resources, among others.
A launch event was recently held in Islamabad, Pakistan, attended by Pakistan's minister for education Shafqat Mahmood, representatives from Hashoo Group and Sheffield Hallam University and Zulfi Bukhari, special assistant to the prime minister of Pakistan, and chairman of the Pakistan Tourism Authority.
Mr Henderson is vesting Sheffield Hallam this month to launch the school to the UK market, and report on progress on the new building development.
He will meet academic staff involved in phase two of the set up and continue to drive the message from Mr Murtaza Hashwani, of the group's commitment to their legacy of 'fostering entrepreneurship, supporting education, and creating jobs for people across all sectors of society'.
