AWKUM Hosts Successful Cooking Skill Competition: Showcasing Culinary Talents and Boosting Employability

 

The Youth Development Centre (YDC), Tourism & Hospitality Department at AWKUM in collaboration with District Youth Office Mardan and Al Hamra Banquets organized a Cooking Skill Competition. The main objective of this activity was to provide undergraduate students a platform to showcase their culinary skills talent and explore other areas of employability and businesses. Career counseling, entrepreneurship skills development, job placements and encouraging other co-curricular activities were other striking features of the event. The first round started from May 21-23, 2024. Twelve teams from various departments participated in the competition. The opening ceremony was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Sher Afzal (Dean, Faculty of Business & Economics AWKUM). 

The final round was held on May 28, 2024. The first position was grabbed by the Department of Food Science &Technology; the second position was secured by the University College for Women AWKUM and the third position was secured by the Department of Computer Sciences Timergara Campus.

The Judges of the event comprised Mr. Asad Raza, MS Asia Baig, MS Robina Zakir, and MS Maria Shaheen who for their discerning palates, attention to detail, and fair evaluations have ensured that every participant received the recognition they deserve. The feedback provided by the panel has not only highlighted the talents of these contestants but also inspired them to reach new culinary heights.

Addressing the concluding ceremony, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tahir (Vice Chancellor AWKUM), extended his heartfelt congratulations to all the participants for their outstanding talent and creativity, which truly impressed everyone. I also wish to thank our esteemed judges for their meticulous evaluations and valuable feedback, as well as the organizers (Dr. Zia Ullah, Dr. Ijaz, and Dr. Shah Hussain Awan) and volunteers whose efforts have ensured the success of this event. The VC also thanked the HEC for establishing YDC at AWKUM and praised the efforts of the focal person Dr. Zia Ullah. He also thanked District Youth Officer Mardan and Al Hamra Banquets for their support as sponsors of the event.

In the end, the Vice Chancellor distributed shields and certificates among position holders, participants, and the organizers.

AWKUM - Cooking Skills Competition

 

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Department of Tourism & Hospitality Students Engage in Vibrant Chilam Joshi Festival Celebrations at Kalash Valley, Chitral

 

The Chilam Joshi festival, a spring religious ceremony of the Kalash tribe, took place at Kalash Valley, Chitral from May 13-17, 2023, and the Department of Tourism & Hospitality students actively participated in this exciting event. The festival is dedicated to seeking blessings from God for the protection of herds and crops. It involves daytime singing, dancing, and joyful family gatherings, showcasing the tribe's vibrant cultural heritage. The festival attracted a significant number of domestic and international visitors who joined in the celebrations at the festival's location.

Tourism & Hospitality students accomplished their summer internship within the tourism industry.

Tourism industry in general and hospitality sector in particular has the potential for significant contribution to the economic development of a country. It has been estimated that one in eleven jobs in the world is related to tourism industry. Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan (AWKUM) has established Department of Tourism & Hospitality in September 2011 with the intentions to uplift tourism industry of the country through promoting quality education and skills. However, at present the Department is lacking a learning hotel which can facilitate students for acquiring workplace essential skills. To bridge this gap and also to execute HEC undergraduate internship policy (2021), the Department has formally inked MoUs with hotels of excellent repute within the country. Students’ internship is at the heart of these MoUs which consequently providing practical experience and exposure in the hospitality sector. 

In summer 2022, a renowned hotel chain: Shangrilla Hotel & Resorts offered summer internship to our undergraduate students in their properties at Chngla Gali, Murree, Malam Jabba & Kalam. A total of twenty one students have successfully completed their internship and two of them have been offered a job placement. In addition, few of our students have individually carried out their internships in Peral Continental hotel Malam Jabba & Marriott hotel Islamabad.

 

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Newspaper Cutting Regarding "3rd Board of Study Meeting of Department of Tourism & Hospitality"