In a strategic collaboration aimed at nurturing the next generation of hospitality leaders, Vatel Hotel & Tourism Business School has forged a partnership with Hawar Resort by Mantis, a pioneering eco-luxury establishment located on the Unesco World Heritage site of Hawar Island. 

 

This collaboration underscores the Vatel Bahrain’s commitment to fostering industry-academia synergies and equipping its students with unparalleled practical training experiences.  

 

"Facilitating our students' training at this esteemed resort, a trailblazer in sustainable luxury tourism within the Gulf and the broader Middle Eastern region, represents an astute investment in the development of their capabilities and proficiencies," said Sheikh Khaled bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, General Director of Vatel Bahrain.

 

"This invaluable opportunity empowers our aspiring hospitality professionals to refine their skills in state-of-the-art facilities that parallel the industry's highest benchmarks," stated Sheikh Khaled. 

 

"This effort aligns with Vatel Bahrain’s dedication to offering its students internship opportunities across various hotels under the Accor Group umbrella, one of the largest hotel groups in the Middle East and globally," he added.

 

In a statement on the sidelines of signing the MoU with Hawar Resort by Mantis, Sheikh Khaled emphasized the distinctive nature of the resort, being among the first luxury eco-resorts in the Gulf and the broader Middle Eastern region. 

 

This prestigious establishment will provide Vatel Bahrain students with high-level training in the sector of luxury tourism, as well as various facets of hospitality, tourism, and hotel operations, thereby enhancing their potential to attain remarkable success and distinction in the dynamic labour market.

 

The strategic location of Hawar Resort by Mantis on the pristine Hawar Island, a Unesco-designated World Heritage Site, presents an unmatched learning environment for Vatel students. 

 

This immersive experience will enable them to acquire comprehensive insights into the intricate operations and best practices of luxury facilities that cater to discerning international and domestic travellers, he stated. 

 

Furthermore, it will equip them with the essential competencies requisite for securing coveted positions within the hospitality sector upon the conclusion of their academic journey, he added.

 

Sheikh Khaled said one of Vatel Bahrain’s recent graduates, Abdullah Traif, was part of the pre-opening team at Hawar Resort by Mantis and now holds the position of Housekeeping Supervisor at the resort. 

 

"Abdullah’s success is a living example of the quality education and training provided by Vatel Bahrain, which empowers our graduates to become key contributors in the hospitality sector," he stated.

 

Mohammad Ali Kunhi, Hotel Manager of Hawar Resort by Mantis, said: "We are delighted to forge this partnership with Vatel Bahrain, which will establish our resort as a premier training partner for the esteemed institution."

 

"This alliance will provide invaluable opportunities for Bahraini talents to engage in hands-on training within the dynamic work environment of Hawar Resort by Mantis, a sought-after destination renowned for delivering an integrated experience of relaxation amidst the captivating natural splendor of Hawar Island. We are confident that this collaboration will offer rich and diverse experiences to the college's students, furthering their professional development," he added.-TradeArabia News Service

Presight, a leading global big data analytics company powered by AI, today (March 27) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft to support the Presight AI-Startup Accelerator.

 

The UAE-based programme is designed to help promising AI startups gain a commercial advantage, access cutting-edge technology resources, and expand their network within the UAE, the wider G42 ecosystem, and Presight’s global markets, alongside venture funding opportunities to exponentially accelerate their growth and scalability.

 

As part of this collaboration, Microsoft will contribute its expertise in technical enablement, mentorship, and market acceleration through its Microsoft Founders Hub initiative.

 

The collaboration will empower startups by providing high-performance computing, access to cloud services, and exposure to foundational AI models, including large language models (LLMs) and generative AI-powered analytics, said Presight in a statement. 

 

Startups selected for the Presight AI-Startup Accelerator will also benefit from Microsoft’s mentorship network, ensuring they receive strategic insights and technical guidance throughout their journey, it stated.

 

On the strategic tieup, CEO Thomas Pramotedham said: "We and Microsoft share the same passion for innovation in AI and nurturing the next wave of AI pioneers. Our collaboration through the Presight AI-Startup Accelerator underscores our mutual dedication to empowering startups with the tools, expertise, and opportunities they need to thrive."

 

"Together, we will foster a vibrant ecosystem where groundbreaking AI can flourish," he stated.

 

The Presight AI-Startup Accelerator, launched during Gitex Global last year, focuses on startups that have developed a prototype and are ready to test the market. 

 

The program’s structured curriculum helps startups refine their AI-powered products, optimize go-to-market strategies, and integrate with Presight’s product pipeline, providing unmatched cross-selling, networking, and promotional opportunities.

 

Graduates of the Presight AI-Startup Accelerator will emerge as market-ready companies, having found their product-market fit, demonstrated customer value, and established a sustainable business model. 

 

Naim Yazbeck, General Manager of Microsoft UAE, said: "We are excited to collaborate with Presight to support AI startups in their journey to success. The Microsoft Founders Hub is committed to providing technical resources, mentorship, and go-to-market enablement, ensuring startups have the infrastructure to innovate and scale."

 

"Together with Presight, we will help drive AI adoption and create transformative solutions that benefit industries worldwide," he stated.

 

This initiative builds on Microsoft’s $1.5 billion investment in G42 to accelerate AI innovation. As part of the G42 ecosystem, Presight already collaborates closely with Microsoft on several joint projects, he added.-TradeArabia News Service

Mered, the award-winning international real estate developer, is supporting the inaugural Pininfarina Academy, an educational initiative by Pininfarina, a global icon of Italian design. 

 

The academy is dedicated to fostering excellence in architectural design among emerging industry professionals, providing them with the opportunity to learn from world-renowned experts and explore cutting-edge design concepts at the company’s headquarters in Turin, Italy. 

 

As part of this initiative, Mered will sponsor four students to attend the Pininfarina Architecture Summer School.

 

The exclusive 3 X 3 X 3 Summer School launches this July with a course integrating advanced design techniques and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) in contemporary architecture. 

The program is tailored to equip young architects with the skills and expertise to redefine modern architecture and urban development, said Mered in a statement. 

 

Participants will engage in hands-on workshops, keynote lectures by industry leaders, and practical applications of state-of-the-art technology, including AI-driven design, parametric modelling, and immersive VR/AR tools, it stated.

 

By sponsoring four students, Mered reinforces its mission to redefine premium developments through visionary design and strategic partnerships by nurturing next-generation talent. 

 

With a portfolio that includes the ultra-luxury 290-m-tall Iconic Residences in Dubai Design by Pininfarina, an upcoming waterfront project in Abu Dhabi and having entered the Saudi Arabian market, Mered is shaping the future of high-end real estate, said the developer. 

 

The Pininfarina Architecture Summer School will be held from July 14 to 25, 2025, and instruction will be conducted in English. 

 

Applications are open to a select 12 aspiring architects, offering them a unique learning experience, the chance to connect with like-minded peers, and the opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders, it added.