GILGIT: Hashoo School of Hospitality Management (HSHM) has signed a Service Agreement with Karakoram International University (KIU) to expand access to international hospitality and tourism education in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The agreement was signed during a virtual ceremony attended by senior representatives from Hashoo Group, KIU and supporting organisations.

The initiative aims to allow students to pursue globally connected hospitality education without leaving Gilgit-Baltistan. It will bring degree and international diploma programmes closer to young people in the region.

Hospitality Education Comes Closer to GB Students

Through the partnership, HSHM will offer a Hospitality and Tourism Management degree programme and an international diploma programme in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The initiative is designed to reduce the need for students to travel outside the region for professional education.

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The ceremony was attended by KIU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Abdul Razzaq and Hashoo Group Hospitality Division CEO Bastien Blanc.

Other participants included Haseeb Gardezi, Executive Director of the Hospitality and Education Division at Hashoo Group, and Syeda Hajra Suhail, CEO of the Pakistan Educational Endowment Fund (Pak-EEF).

Dr. Rehmat Karim, Campus Director of KIU Hunza Campus, Azam Jamil, Advisor to the CEO of Hashoo Group, and Faisal Naeem Khan, Director of HSHM, also attended.

Pak-EEF Scholarships to Support Students

The programme will also benefit from Pak-EEF scholarships.

Pak-EEF operates under the ambit of the Federal Ministry of Education. The scholarships aim to improve access to higher education for talented students.

The support could help students who face financial barriers when pursuing professional degrees.

The programme combines academic learning with practical hospitality training. Students will also receive industry exposure and internship opportunities.

These elements are designed to help students develop skills for careers in the hospitality and tourism sectors.

Global Pathways for Gilgit-Baltistan Youth

HSHM said its academic partnership with the Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH), UK, will provide additional progression opportunities.

According to the organisation, students can access pathways linked to 43 universities across eight countries.

The initiative aims to connect students in Gilgit-Baltistan with further education and international opportunities.

HSHM described the opportunity as the first of its kind in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The partnership also seeks to connect education with the region’s growing tourism potential. Students can gain professional skills while remaining close to their communities.

Mountaineering Courses Under Discussion

HSHM, KIU and other stakeholders are also discussing certified mountaineering courses.

The proposed programmes would provide specialised training linked to Gilgit-Baltistan’s tourism and mountaineering potential.

HSHM said such programmes could strengthen the connection between education, tourism, communities and industry.

The wider collaboration reflects a shared goal of developing industry-ready talent. It also aims to create new professional pathways for young people in the region.