APU, in collaboration with Asianhotelier.Org, marked its first cohort of 14 graduates from the Professional Certificate in Hospitality Supervision Programme, combining industry-led training with academic certification to strengthen hospitality skills.

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Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), through its School of Global Hospitality and Tourism (SoGHT), in collaboration with Asianhotelier.Org, marked a significant milestone as the first cohort of 14 participants successfully completed the Professional Certificate in Hospitality Supervision Programme on 11 February 2026.

The graduates — Mohd. Khairol Anuar Noor Din, Mohd. Shahrul Azhar Mohd. Fauzi, Siti Sakinah Basiran, Azlani Ahmad, Ahmad Zaini Nawawi, Mohd. Sham Jamion, Nur Sayfiqa Mohd. Saad, Muhammad Fathurrahman Nordin, Muhammad Zahidan Zakaria, Nik Balqish Shaheera Nik Badli Shah, Sharifah Syafiqah Syed Mohd. Aris, Nur Atiqah Umar, Siti Jasminatul Wafa Ahmad Zamzali and Ridzuan Khairil Anuar — received their certificates during a graduation ceremony held at Impiana KLCC Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

The cohort reflected the diversity of the hospitality sector, comprising professionals from food and beverage services, front office operations, housekeeping, technical engineering, IT, and security, all of whom demonstrated commitment to advancing their professional capabilities.

This achievement followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between APU and Asianhotelier.Org in September 2025, which took place during the inaugural Global Hospitality and Tourism Forum (GHTF) 2025. 

The forum brought together over 200 delegates from 23 countries to explore sustainable pathways for the hospitality and tourism industry. 

Aligned with the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, the event featured expert panel discussions, awards, and a gala dinner, where Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) pledged its support for future forums.

Since the MoU, both organisations had collaborated closely to develop the Professional Certificate in Hospitality Supervision programme. 

The training was owned and delivered by Asianhotelier.Org, led by experienced hotel managers, while APU ensured academic rigour, structured learning, and certification.

The partnership represented a strategic response to the growing demand for high-impact corporate training programmes designed to elevate talent across the region.

Together, APU and AsianHotelier.Org also introduced the Executive Diploma in Hotel Management, further strengthening their commitment to industry-relevant education.

Professor Dr Kashif Hussain, APU’s Senior Head of SoGHT, highlighted the uniqueness of the programme’s delivery model. 

He shared that the training modules were led by senior hotel managers, providing participants with valuable real-world insights, while APU maintained academic quality and awarded the official certification.

At the ceremony, Mr Azvil Aziz, General Manager of Impiana KLCC Hotel, told the participants that learning was an ongoing journey and expressed his hope of seeing them progress further in their careers through this unique programme, which combined industry knowledge with academic rigour.

The programme was jointly delivered by Mr Nathan Vaithi and Ms Ruth Abishegam, both experienced industry professionals. 

The trainers emphasised that the programme was designed to deepen existing skills, enabling participants to apply their knowledge to more advanced hospitality practices.

They added that the programme focused on developing leadership capabilities, operational excellence, and team performance as key competencies for career advancement within the hospitality industry.