SINGAPORE- Media OutReach - 28 January 2019 - Universityof Essex (UOE), Kaplan and AccorHotels signed a memorandum of understanding(MoU) on 22 January 2019 to officially launch the University of Essex Bachelorof Arts (Honours) Hotel Management (Top-up) Degree programme, offered throughUOE's Edge Hotel School, the first hotel school of its kind in the UK. The MoUsignifies a collaboration that sees the Degree programme encompass aninternship component, combining real-world learning with practical experience.

Through the programme and internshipopportunity, students will attain relevant knowledge and pick up essentialskills through hands-on experience, to become qualified hotel managementprofessionals. They will learn to manage complex situations, both practicallyand professionally, and apply creative approaches to problem solving. They willalso get the opportunity to collaborate with hotel management and work on a consultancyproject in developing solutions to resolve real-life issues faced by theindustry.

The collaboration aligns with theobjective of building a strong pipeline of quality talent, which is one of thefour strategies of Singapore's Hotel Industry Transformation Map (ITM) totransform the hotel industry for sustainable growth. Unveiled in November 2016,the Hotel ITM aims to accelerate business transformation and forge acompetitive industry supported by a future ready workforce.

Mr Andrew Boer, Head ofDepartment for Edge Hotel School at University of Essex, shared, "The EdgeHotel School at the University of Essex is delighted to be in collaborationwith Kaplan Singapore and AccorHotels for this course. The course isdistinctive in that it encourages our undergraduate students not only to engagewith members of the hotel industry, but also to analyse and evaluate theknowledge they gain from these interactions in the class-based activities. Wehave found that this approach allows them to develop a far greaterunderstanding of the hotel industry, and also to apply their academic learningin the context of their desired careers. In our experience, this not onlyencourages students to develop high levels of academic understanding, but alsoto become very employable professionals."

AssociateProfessor Rhys Johnson, Chief Operating Officer and Provost of KaplanSingapore, said, "Kaplan, together with our partner,University of Essex, are pleased to be collaborating with AccorHotels, who isthe largest hotel group in the world outside of the United States. In combiningboth UOE's quality academic delivery and AccorHotels' expertise in hospitality,Kaplan students will gain sound knowledge and skills needed to thrive in thisevolving and energetic industry. Through the internship opportunity, studentscan hone their soft skills and acquire valuable work experience, making themattractive to hospitality employers in Singapore and around the region."

Mr Marcus Hanna, General Manager of FairmontSingapore and Swissôtel The Stamford,shared the same vision for this meaningful collaboration, "Learning and talent development has always been a core part of theAccorHotels culture. We are excited and committed through this collaborationwith Kaplan and the University of Essex, to take an active role in grooming andbuilding hospitality leaders of tomorrow. Great things in business are neverdone by one person, but a team of people. We believe that this greatpartnership will have an incredible impact on the overall sustainability,growth and success of the hospitality industry, especially in Singapore. "

For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2HskGjb.