The College of Tourism & Hotel Management (COTHM) Pakistan welcomed a distinguished delegation from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for an institutional visit focused on strengthening engagement in food safety, public health, and the One Health approach.
The FAO delegation was led by Dr. Pawin Padungtod, One Health Team Lead, accompanied by Zia Ur Rehman, Strategic Communications Specialist, and Shahveiz Hassan, Administration Officer.
The visit provided an opportunity to introduce the delegation to COTHM’s educational initiatives, professional training facilities, and ongoing efforts to promote food safety, hygiene, and responsible food-handling practices within the hospitality and food service sectors.
Discussions highlighted the importance of integrating food safety education into professional hospitality training and creating greater awareness among future chefs, food handlers, hospitality professionals, and students. The One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, also provided an important context for discussing the role of education and professional capacity-building.
COTHM continues to emphasize food safety and hygiene as essential components of hospitality education, equipping students with practical knowledge and professional competencies required to maintain safe food preparation, handling, storage, and service standards.
The engagement also reflected the value of collaboration between international organizations and educational institutions in promoting awareness, sharing expertise, and developing a skilled workforce capable of responding to emerging food safety and public health challenges.
The visit marked a valuable opportunity for institutional interaction and knowledge exchange, reaffirming the importance of education, professional training, and collaborative efforts in advancing safer and more responsible food systems in Pakistan.
COTHM Pakistan remains committed to promoting food safety, professional excellence, and knowledge-driven collaboration for a healthier future.
