H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Tuesday witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Canada, which aims to cooperate and work to establish an institute for hospitality and tourism, at the headquarters of the American University of Sharjah.

The MoU was signed on behalf of Shurooq by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), and on behalf of SAIT, Mark Butler, Vice President of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Canada. It provides the institutional development of the institute for hospitality and tourism, which is expected to open in the third quarter of 2026, including comprehensive assessments of the needs of existing educational and training facilities and services in Sharjah within the hospitality and tourism sectors.

Under the MoU, the institute will offer specialised, internationally accredited professional diploma programmes that enable students to complete a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management, and provide students with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills through advanced scientific curricula, in addition to offering professional executive courses that will contribute to raising the skills of members of the travel and tourism sector. It also helps them excel in this sector, which is witnessing significant growth.

The memorandum also includes cooperation in several areas, including developing and licensing a world-class curriculum, training teachers, consulting on building facilities, and providing the necessary tools to implement the programme effectively.

As per the memorandum, the institute will provide its students with multiple specialisations, namely hotel management, tourism and travel, entrepreneurship and innovation. The institute has also previously obtained the first ranking in Canada in hospitality, tourism and culinary programmes, in addition to the institute being ranked 45th in the world according to the QS global assessment of universities in the field of hospitality and tourism.

The event was attended by a number of officials.

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