In conjunction with Saudi-based hospitality and real estate group, Aujan Group Holding, the luxury Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort in Mozambique, has launched the Aujan – Anantara Scholarship Programme.

In a joint venture with Minor Hotels, Aujan, owns two island resorts in Mozambique under the Anantara brand: Anantara Medjumbe Island Resort & Spa and Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa.

The scholarship aims to provide youth from the local Zenguelemo, Pangaia and Sitone communities with access to college education after completing their secondary education.

The launch has provided ten local Zenguelemo Secondary School students with scholarship opportunities. The students were selected based on educational performance and placed at the Industrial and Commercial Institute Eduardo Mondlane in Inhambane City.

The scholarship programme will be a career launchpad for the local youth. They will be studying a comprehensive hospitality course for three years, with lessons covering theoretical hospitality foundations and English language classes.

The scholarship initiative is part of the resort’s overall focus on enhancing education for local youth. The resort has built three primary schools and one secondary school over the past few years in the villages of Zenguelemo and Pangaia.

Education is a fundamental pillar for youth populations and creates avenues for alternative income generation other than the traditional means currently practised on Bazaruto Island. 

Keeping a legacy alive

Lourenco Zivane, Community Supervisor for Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort, said: “Since the establishment of the resort at Bazaruto Island, Sheikh Adel Aujan [late Chairman of Aujan Group Holding], insisted on education for local children and the development of the island community. As part of his legacy, we want to keep his vision alive and support the sustainable growth of the young islanders.”

“One of the biggest challenges for the local island population and a stumbling block in employing as many islanders as possible in the hospitality industry are the limitations of higher education on the island,” said Yiannis Kosmas, GM of Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort. “To improve this situation, we continue to invest in education initiatives for youth, and this scholarship programme will go a long way in ensuring that the chosen learners are equipped with knowledge and skills that enhance their chances of finding sustainable employment across various industries.”