Kuala lumpur: The collaboration between D'Tandoor International Group of Restaurants and UNITAR University College Kuala Lumpur is expected to strengthen the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem in the culinary field while creating more career opportunities for local talent.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan emphasized the necessity of closer cooperation between industry players and educational institutions to ensure skills training aligns with labor market needs. At the launch of the D'Tandoor-UNITAR Culinary Education Programme and Strategic Collaboration, Khairul Firdaus stated that integrated efforts must be enhanced to produce a workforce equipped with relevant skills.
Also present at the event were D'Tandoor International Group of Restaurants chairman Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Malik Abdullah and UNITAR University College Kuala Lumpur vice-chancellor and chief executive officer Dr Jagdeep Singh Jassel. Khairul Firdaus highlighted the collaboration as a starting point for creating education and career development opportunities for students, particularly in the culinary sector. He stressed the importance of working together to ensure the training provided benefits society, especially in adapting to technological advancements and artificial intelligence (AI).
Meanwhile, Abdul Malik noted that the collaboration aims to offer culinary training that merges industry expertise with formal education. With over 30 years of experience in the food and beverage (F and B) industry, D'Tandoor seeks to share its culinary expertise to help individuals acquire skills that can serve as a source of income. This initiative aligns with the government's focus on upskilling and reskilling to respond to competition and rapid industry changes.
Jagdeep Singh explained that the collaboration supports UNITAR's 'Employability by Design' approach, which ensures students' education is directly linked to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.