The Discover Hospitality Programme, hosted by Universal Foundation in affiliation with Villa College and Versa Hospitality, held its graduation ceremony on 8 July 2026 at the Islamic Centre in Malé. Mr Iyaz Waheed, President of Universal Foundation, welcomed guests, and Dr Ali Najeeb, Vice Rector of Villa College, addressed the ceremony, which marked the completion of Batch 7 of the Certificate 3 in Hospitality course and Batch 2 of the Certificate 3 in Culinary Arts course. Certificates were presented by Chief Guest Dr Ismail Shafeeu, Minister of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development, who also delivered remarks to the graduating cohort.

The ceremony also marked the start of two new intakes through the award of sponsorship letters to incoming students. Letters for the incoming Batch 3 of Culinary Arts students were presented by Dr Ahmed Anwar, Rector of Villa College, and Mr Ali Shareef, Director of Villa College, while those for the incoming Batch 8 of Hospitality students were presented by Ms Visha Mahir, Director of Universal Enterprises and Chief Executive Officer of Versa Hospitality, and Mr Ali Adam, Director of Human Resources at Versa Hospitality and Vice President of Universal Foundation.

The programme follows a practical-first model, combining 20 per cent classroom theory with 80 per cent hands-on training. Theory is taught at Villa College, while practical placements take place at Universal resorts, with all costs covered by Universal Foundation and a monthly allowance of MVR 3,000 paid to each trainee by their host resort. Candidates are selected nationwide through interviews conducted jointly by Universal Foundation and Villa College. The ceremony also featured a panel discussion offering graduates direct insight into the hospitality sector, moderated by Ali Ahusan, Human Resources Manager at Baros Maldives, with panellists Zana Ziyad, Human Resources Executive at Niva Velassaru Maldives, Fathimath Laya, Food and Beverage Hostess at Niva Kurumba Maldives, and Mohamed Visaam of Huvafen Fushi Maldives.

Since 2017, the Hospitality course has produced 164 graduates across seven batches, while the Culinary Arts course, introduced in 2024, has graduated 15 students across two batches. Of last year's participants, 65 per cent are now employed, principally within tourism, and a further 10 per cent have progressed to higher education. The figures reflect the value we place, as an academic partner in the programme, on pairing structured classroom learning with practical placement that leads directly into employment within the Maldivian tourism sector.