04 November 2010
By RAHIMA AL BALUSHI
MUSCAT: Yusra Al Maskeri and Issa Al Bahrani did not have to wait for too long to get the opportunities that could ultimately fulfil their ambitions. The National Hospitality Institute (NHI) did everything possible to help the two students to attain their aspirations after reading their story in the Times of Oman
last month.
The NHI took the initiative to provide assistance to the youngsters who were unable to attain the school grades needed to qualify them for government scholarships.
"We read the article in the Times of Oman about the students who were struggling to get scholarships. NHI knew about the problem so the story was quite familiar to us.
"We thought, maybe, we could help," said Robert MacLean, the Principal of NHI.
MacLean admitted that at that time NHI was looking for students to join the 40/40 sponsorship, a fund that has been set by the local British community as a gift for His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to celebrate 40 years of his leadership.
"We were looking for young Omanis who had just completed school to join this programme. Although we were looking for good school results, we were prepared to make a compromise not to be too choosy on the academic side. The trainee's personality and attitude are our priorities because the trainee has to go through significant challenges," the principal said.
Yusra was not selected for the 40/40 programme but fulfilled the criteria for the Ministry of Manpower funding.
After finishing her studies, Yusra will work for the Crowne Plaza Hotel on the front desk.
But Issa, the second student, was selected for the 40/40 funded programme. He is currently attending a two-year management diploma at NHI.
The principal said that the scholarship opportunities are linked to future employment, and the trainees have to work hard.
"At NHI, we are trying to offer very good alternatives for those who were not able to go to the university or college. Many of them have come through us and even did better than they would have done if they had gone to the university. At the end, you can get to the same job but in different ways.
Some people might find this way more stimulating," he pointed out.
Toufiq Mohammed Al Ajmi, business development manager at NHI, said the institute was working hard to expand and hoped one day it would be a centre of excellence for the whole region.
"On NHI's website, people can read more on the success stories of trainees who were trained at NHI. We hope to see Yusra and Issa on that list soon," Al Ajmi said.
Yusra expressed her happiness to the Times on the opportunity NHI provided them to achieve their dreams.
Thanks to Times of Oman, I am learning how to be confident so I can be useful for the hotel industry. I believe that this experience will definitely help me with my future ambitions," Yusra said.
By RAHIMA AL BALUSHI
MUSCAT: Yusra Al Maskeri and Issa Al Bahrani did not have to wait for too long to get the opportunities that could ultimately fulfil their ambitions. The National Hospitality Institute (NHI) did everything possible to help the two students to attain their aspirations after reading their story in the Times of Oman
last month.
The NHI took the initiative to provide assistance to the youngsters who were unable to attain the school grades needed to qualify them for government scholarships.
"We read the article in the Times of Oman about the students who were struggling to get scholarships. NHI knew about the problem so the story was quite familiar to us.
"We thought, maybe, we could help," said Robert MacLean, the Principal of NHI.
MacLean admitted that at that time NHI was looking for students to join the 40/40 sponsorship, a fund that has been set by the local British community as a gift for His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to celebrate 40 years of his leadership.
"We were looking for young Omanis who had just completed school to join this programme. Although we were looking for good school results, we were prepared to make a compromise not to be too choosy on the academic side. The trainee's personality and attitude are our priorities because the trainee has to go through significant challenges," the principal said.
Yusra was not selected for the 40/40 programme but fulfilled the criteria for the Ministry of Manpower funding.
After finishing her studies, Yusra will work for the Crowne Plaza Hotel on the front desk.
But Issa, the second student, was selected for the 40/40 funded programme. He is currently attending a two-year management diploma at NHI.
The principal said that the scholarship opportunities are linked to future employment, and the trainees have to work hard.
"At NHI, we are trying to offer very good alternatives for those who were not able to go to the university or college. Many of them have come through us and even did better than they would have done if they had gone to the university. At the end, you can get to the same job but in different ways.
Some people might find this way more stimulating," he pointed out.
Toufiq Mohammed Al Ajmi, business development manager at NHI, said the institute was working hard to expand and hoped one day it would be a centre of excellence for the whole region.
"On NHI's website, people can read more on the success stories of trainees who were trained at NHI. We hope to see Yusra and Issa on that list soon," Al Ajmi said.
Yusra expressed her happiness to the Times on the opportunity NHI provided them to achieve their dreams.
Thanks to Times of Oman, I am learning how to be confident so I can be useful for the hotel industry. I believe that this experience will definitely help me with my future ambitions," Yusra said.
© Times of Oman 2010
