The Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies (FHTS) of the Maldives National University (MNU) has won the award for the Best Culinary Institution in the Indian Ocean region at the 4th Annual World Culinary Awards.
FHTS won the award after competing with nominees from Mauritius. The MNU faculty won the award based on its efforts to build and develop culinary skills, and the progress it has achieved in the sector. As such, the faculty has conducted various culinary courses and participated in different culinary competitions held both nationally and internationally.
Upon receiving the award, Dean of FHTS Zeenath Solih said that the faculty works hard to be recognised as a world-renowned culinary institute. She also said culinary courses should be further developed and more young people should enter the field, expressing hope that the Maldives will receive more accolades in the culinary field.
FHTS has been developing human resources for the Maldivian tourism industry since 1987. The faculty currently consists of 4,800 students engaged in various fields of study such as housekeeping, front office, patisserie, culinary arts, tour guiding, and tourism and hospitality management. The courses range from Certificate Level 3, Advanced Certificate, Bachelor's Degree, and Master's Degree. FHTS also won the Best Culinary Institution in the Indian Ocean region in 2021.
The World Culinary Awards serves to celebrate and reward excellence in the culinary industry. The World Culinary Awards is the sister event of the World Travel Awards, both of which were inaugurated in 1994.