The College of Tourism & Hotel Management (COTHM) and Villa The Grand Buffet have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen industry-academia collaboration and create greater opportunities for students to develop professional skills aligned with the demands of the hospitality and culinary industries.

The partnership has been spearheaded by the Department of Employability & Career Services (DECS) at COTHM, with the aim of building stronger connections between professional education and the workplace. Through this collaboration, students will have greater opportunities to gain practical exposure, understand industry standards, and develop the competencies required for successful careers.

Under the MoU, Villa The Grand Buffet will contribute its industry expertise, professional mentorship, and practical knowledge to support the development of COTHM students. This collaboration is designed to help learners better understand real-world workplace practices while strengthening their technical, professional, and interpersonal skills.

The partnership also reflects the growing importance of industry involvement in hospitality education. While academic knowledge provides students with a strong foundation, direct interaction with industry professionals enables them to understand workplace expectations and apply their learning in practical environments.

Through DECS, COTHM continues to focus on employability and career development by connecting students with organizations that can provide professional exposure, mentorship, training, and potential career pathways.

The collaboration with Villa The Grand Buffet is expected to benefit students pursuing careers in culinary arts, hospitality management, food and beverage operations, and related fields. By bringing education and industry closer together, the partnership aims to prepare graduates who are confident, skilled, and ready to contribute effectively to the professional workplace.

COTHM expressed its appreciation to the Villa The Grand Buffet team for their time, professional guidance, mentorship, and commitment to supporting student development. Their involvement represents an important contribution toward creating stronger links between educational institutions and the hospitality industry.

The MoU marks another step toward COTHM’s continued efforts to provide students with education that extends beyond the classroom. By combining academic learning with practical industry engagement, COTHM and Villa The Grand Buffet aim to support the development of a skilled workforce and create meaningful career opportunities for the next generation of hospitality professionals.

COTHM — Connecting Education with Industry, Skills with Opportunity.