PATINA MALDIVES, FARI ISLANDS ANNOUNCES THE FIRST OVERSEASEDUCATION PROGRAMME IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ECOLE HÔTELIÈRE
DE LAUSANNENew Maldives archipelago pioneers work-study program for employees
at its Patina Maldives, Fari Islands resort, certified by leading hospitality
institution
The trailblazing Fari Islands development in the Maldives has welcomed
the first cohort of students to its Vocational Education & Training (VET)
centre, delivered in partnership with one of the world’s most prestigious
hotel schools, the renowned Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL).
The first of their kind, the courses represent a ground-breaking opportunity
for the most ambitious and talented workers to develop the vocational
competencies, knowledge and mindset required to thrive as a professionalin the hotel and restaurant sectors of the hospitality industry. The
three-year courses will yield internationally recognised diplomas signed
and issued by the EHL, and recognised by the Maldives Qualification
Authority, offering local talent a realistic, credible alternative to hotel
schools in Europe.

info.maldives@patinahotels.com
www.patinahotels.com/maldives@patinamaldives@patinamaldives

Mr Mohamed Rasheed , Director of HR at the flagship Patina Maldives,
Fari Islands, said of the scheme:“We are delighted to be spearheading thisinitiative, which is the first of its kind, bringing internationally accredited
hotel and hospitality training to the Maldives. True to the spirit ofPatina and the Fari Islands, the pioneering scheme aims to bring a fresh
approach to resourcing, training and HR, and to nurturing young talenton the ground in the Maldives. Together with EHL, we are committed toproviding an enriching pathway to success for those who wish to rise to
their full potential in hospitality management.”

Using content developed in Switzerland, the modular course
curriculum blends ‘on the job’ training with classroom learning andassessments. Pathways on offer in the 2022/23 academic year are asix-month Foundation Module in Food & Beverage Service and Hotel
Foundation Certificate, which is followed by a further two six-monthmodules, Intermediate and Advanced, before students graduate with aProfessional Diploma. Courses are taken from May – October, meaning
the total duration of the Diploma programme is three years.
14 students were chosen on a selective basis to undertake thisinaugural course, and are fully sponsored by Patina Maldives, which
covers tuition fees and course materials.
The programme will be developed from 2023 with the addition offurther diploma programmes in the areas of Culinary, Rooms Division,
F&B Service, Hotel Administration and Hotel Communications, witha total intake of 30 students per cohort invited to take part from theFari Islands properties. The final phase of the initiative will see thescheme opened to all Maldivian nationals, once the programme is fullestablished.
Training is delivered by EHL-accredited department managers anddepartment supervisors. The four-island archipelago of the Fari islands,
developed by Pontiac Land Group, launched last year with the openingof Patina Maldives, the inaugural resort of a new lifestyle brand by the
Capella Hotel Group, and the Ritz Carlton Maldives. A third resort, aCapella hotel, is scheduled to open in 2025.
Notably, the development includes an island dedicated entirely to theFari Campus, a revolutionary purpose-built mix of staff housing andfacilities that seeks to bring a sea-change to employee accommodation
and wellbeing in the Maldives. Designed by Gaurang Khemka, founderof award-winning architectural and urban planning firm URBNarc, thespacious Fari Campus offers generous, comfortable living spaces
and a full suite of recreational facilities and amenities, as well as thebenefit of abundant outdoor areas, including the entire coastline of
the island. It was designed to foster a sense of belonging and kinship,with intuitive communal spaces inspired by traditional Maldiviancommunities, crafted to meet the varying needs of its residents.
The VET course offering and sponsorship programme further underlines
the commitment of Patina Maldives and the Fari Islands to attracting
and retaining the best local talent, whilst nurturing careers and offering
the opportunity for team members to reach their full potential.
END

ABOUT PATINA MALDIVES, FARI ISLANDS
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands is the inaugural flagship property
from sophisticated new lifestyle brand Patina Hotels & Resorts, thelatest hospitality concept by Capella Hotel Group. Designed byrenowned Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, Patina Maldives offers 90
contemporary one- to three-bedroom Beach and Water Pool Villas,
alongside 20 Fari Studios, all of which embody a harmony of sanctuary
and stimulation.Set in the Fari Islands archipelago in North Malé Atoll,
guests can immerse themselves in a new expression of island life
through thoughtful tailor-made wellness journeys, interactive musicprogrammes, captivating culinary experiences, and bask in the lightfilled James Turrell Skyspace pavilion — all while embracing the vibrantsocial scene that emanates from the destination’s communal heart: theFari Marina Village and Fari Beach Club.
ABOUT PATINA HOTELS & RESORTS
Patina Hotels & Resorts is the latest hospitality concept from Capella
Hotel Group. Born out of guests’ desire to honour individuality,
Patina appeals to a new generation of travellers who seek deeper
connections with themselves and the world around them. The humancentred design flows with the natural modes people are in, gently andintuitively providing for each guest’s individual needs, ensuring that notwo stays are exactly the same. A five-star, sophisticated lifestyle brand,Patina Maldives, Fari Islands will be the first launch, with a property
in development in Ubud, Bali and opportunities in China, Japan andSoutheast Asia also being pursued.
ABOUT FARI ISLANDS
Fari Islands is an elevated Maldivian resort experience that celebrates
nature, craft and connection. A Pontiac Land Group development
anchored by three world-class hospitality brands, Fari Islands is locatedin the North Malé Atoll within the Maldives, a 45-minute luxury boattransfer from Malé International Airport. The archipelago also features
the picturesque Fari Marina Village, built around a vibrant Beach
Club, charming boutiques and a selection of handpicked, upscale
food and beverage options. Spaces have been masterfully designedby renowned architects from Studio MK27 (by Marcio Kogan), Kengo
Kuma & Associates, and Kerry Hill Architects, to bring about adelicate balance of serene and social. One of the islands is home to athoughtful hospitality campus; Fari Campus is a dedicated island forstaff with a focus on community, education, and engagement, and is
the first of its kind in the Maldives.
ABOUT PONTIAC LAND GROUP
Pontiac Land is a privately-held property developer, owner, andoperator based in Singapore. The Group’s assets include hospitality,mixed-used, commercial and residential developments. With over fiftyyears of experience in luxury property development, Pontiac Landseeks to better the built environment through thoughtful architectureand design. Each development is uniquely complemented with worldclass art and maintained by the Group’s in-house property management
team to deliver a consistently high level of well-being and hospitality.
These developments span Singapore, New York, Sydney and theMaldives. In 2006, Pontiac Land co-launched Capella Hotel Groupin Asia. The Group subsequently acquired Capella Hotel Group as awholly-owned subsidiary in 2017.
ABOUT THE ECOLE HÔTELIÈRE DE LAUSANNE
EHL is the world’s first hotel school, founded in 1893 as Ecole Hôtelièrede Lausanne. In 2022, for the fourth year in a row, EHL was ranked
the world’s best hotel management school by QS World University
Rankings for Hospitality and Leisure Management. EHL has also
received the award for “best innovation in education” at the Worldwide
Hospitality Awards 2019 for the bachelor’s in International Hospitality
Management program, following a multi-campus study options and theentrepreneurial support provided to the students.
For further press information or images
on Patina Hotels & Resorts, please contact:
Luann Alphonso (luann.alphonso@patinahotels.com)
Zainab Shihab (zainab.shihab@patinahotels.com)
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands
Fari Veli Huraa
North Malé Atoll, 20026