A French Hotel-Management Degree Without Leaving Hurghada: University Approves Vatel Dual Programmes

Hurghada University is to teach bachelor's and professional master's programmes in hospitality management as dual degrees awarded jointly with Vatel, the French hospitality and tourism management school, according to Al-Masry Al-Youm.

The university council approved the start of teaching at its monthly meeting, chaired by the university president, Prof. Mahfouz Abu El-Fadl. The decision follows the ministerial decree authorising the programmes, the paper reports.

The programmes are intended to combine academic study with professional practice in one of the main sectors of the local economy, drawing on international experience in running tourism and hotel operations. Al-Masry Al-Youm notes the fit with the Red Sea Governorate, where tourism and hospitality is among the most prominent economic activities.

Abu El-Fadl said the launch is part of the university's drive to develop its teaching and create specialisations that match what the labour market needs, alongside widening its partnerships with specialist institutions abroad. Working with Vatel, he said, opens a route for students to draw on international teaching and professional expertise in hospitality management, and helps build staff qualified for the hotel and tourism sector under modern labour-market requirements.

He added that expanding the postgraduate and professional offer is also aimed at people already working in the industry, and at researchers who want to continue their studies.

The report gives no start date, no fees, no admission requirements and no number of places.

The approval comes alongside the same university's decision, reported the same day, to waive tuition and accommodation fees entirely for students from Marsa Alam, Halayeb, Shalateen and Abu Ramad — two moves in one week aimed at getting more of this coast's own young people into higher education, in the industry most of them will end up working in.