Arsénia Massingue challenges ESHTI to become a benchmark for higher education in the country

On Friday, August 28th, the Secretary of State for the Province of Inhambane, Arsénia Felicidade Massingue, challenged Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM), through its Higher School of Hospitality and Tourism of Inhambane (ESHTI), to continue to assume a leading position as a benchmark institution of Mozambican higher education in the promotion of tourism and sustainable development.

According to Arsénia Massingue, ESHTI should not limit itself to being just a learning space, but should establish itself as a true engine of social transformation and local development.

The official was speaking during the graduation ceremony of 57 senior technicians, trained in various fields of knowledge. Of the total graduates, 33 are women, corresponding to 57.9%, and 24 are men, equivalent to 42.1%.

On that occasion, the governor called for greater local involvement from ESHTI, through the offering of short courses in areas such as catering and bar service, tour guiding, gastronomy, and public relations.

The initiative, as explained by Arsénia Massingue, could directly contribute to strengthening local communities and creating skills that can translate into employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

The Secretary of State for the Province of Inhambane argued that ESHTI should promote seminars, outreach activities, and cultural events that encourage community participation, foster the exchange of knowledge, and contribute to strengthening the social fabric.

According to the governor, these initiatives could promote social inclusion, encourage entrepreneurship, boost the local economy, and value the rich culture of Inhambane province, creating concrete opportunities for more sustainable and inclusive development.

The source stated that, for the Government, training represents an investment in human capital and constitutes a basis for promoting sustainable development, innovation, and prosperity. Therefore, the source added, the Government recognizes, encourages, and values ​​the role of education as one of the central pillars for building a more just, productive, and prosperous society.

To the graduates, the governor of Inhambane province observed that, throughout their training, they not only acquired technical and academic knowledge, but also developed skills to face the challenges of the present and transform them into opportunities.

In turn, the Rector of UEM, Manuel Guilherme Júnior, stressed that ESHTI, with more than two decades of existence, continues to assert itself as a benchmark institution and a center of excellence, demonstrating an extraordinary capacity for resilience in the face of adversity.

The Rector recalled that, over more than two decades, ESHTI has faced global and local crises, limitations, and various challenges. "However, we have kept our mission alive: to train high-quality professionals capable of revitalizing the hospitality and tourism sectors, which are strategic sectors for the economic, social, and cultural development of Mozambique," he stated.

Manuel Junior announced that the School has already trained a total of 1,624 professionals in different areas of hospitality and tourism. However, he stressed that the number is not just a statistic.

The director drew the graduates' attention to the fact that the job market demands professionals with solid technical skills, capable of understanding the dynamics and demands of the hospitality and tourism sectors and, above all, prepared to adapt to a constantly changing context.

The Rector of the oldest university in the country added that it is through the combination of knowledge, creativity, adaptability, and spirit.