Villa College signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 16th December 2025 with Centara Hotels & Resorts, Maldives to formally strengthen the collaborative ties between the academic sector and the hospitality industry. This agreement is specifically designed to provide students with enhanced opportunities for professional growth, including greater exposure to industry operations, practical internship placements, and clear career development pathways. The partnership aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to meet the demands of the modern hospitality workforce through direct engagement with established professionals.

The signing ceremony featured key representatives from both the educational and hospitality sectors coming together to formalise this initiative. Dr Ali Najeeb, the Vice Rector of Villa College, signed the agreement alongside two prominent leaders from the Centara group. Francesco Pompilio, who serves as the Cluster General Manager for Centara Rasfushi Resort & Spa Maldives and Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection, was one of the signatories representing the industry partner. He was joined by Andrew Jansson, the Cluster General Manager of Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives and Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, effectively cementing the commitment across multiple resort properties to support student development.