Villa Rotana, Rihab Rotana and Rimal Rotana – Dubai Celebrated the Graduation of the Fourth Group of Rashid Centre for Disabled

Dubai, October 23, 2013- Villa Rotana, Rihab Rotana and Rimal Rotana celebrated the graduation ceremony of the fourth group of students with special needs, who have completed successfully the professional training for the programme across the various departments in the 3 Rotana hotels.

The ceremony was attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Dalmouk Al-Maktoum, Board Member of Rashid Centre for Disabled, Ms Mariam Othman, General Manager of Rashid Centre for Disabled among other distinguished dignitaries, parents and partners.

This humanitarian project, which is the first in the world of hotels in the United Arab Emirates, was launched in 2009 in collaboration between each of Villa Rotana, Rimal Rotana and Rihab Rotana - Dubai and Rashid Center for Disabled. The aim of the project in principle is receiving on a yearly basis, in each hotel, three students from Rashid Centre. The students are selected by the centre management to receive six to eight months training in the workplace hotel under the supervision of the centre social assistance and the human resources of the hotels.

The graduation ceremony was held at Villa Rotana - Dubai, where speeches by Mr. Kinan Al Ghraoui the General Manager of the three hotels and Ms. Chris Huntley, Head Teacher from Rashid Centre were presented. The programme included a drama presented by the children of the centre in addition to a documentary about project and the distribution of certificates and trophies to partners by his highness.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Dalmouk Al-Maktoum commented: "For the fourth consecutive year partnering with Villa Rotana, Rihab Rotana and Rimal Rotana in graduating our students with special needs who have been trained in these hotels and gained valuable experience which certainly add value to their personal development, give them self-confidence and sense of deep support to their community, moreover, our students have acquired through this professional experience a real vocation which help them to rely on themselves in the future and to be more independent. "

Mr. Kinan Al Ghraoui, the General Manager of Villa Rotana, Rihab Rotana and Rimal Rotana welcomed His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Dalmouk Al-Maktoum, and thanked the event partners Channel 4 Radio Network, KidZania Dubai and Wild Wadi Waterpark for their support and collaboration, stressing the desire of everyone to accomplish this event, especially students who have worked since the beginning of the school year.

Al Ghraoui added: "Our first and last has been and continues to contribute to our responsibility towards the community and participation by creating a new idea to help children to rely more on themselves and draw a smile on their faces".“We are proud of the new batch graduating today who proved their ability, determination and perseverance defying the odds and achieving success. Together, we must put the most vulnerable at the heart of our actions to achieve a better life for all", concluded Kinan Al Ghraoui.