For the second consecutive season, the Faculty of Hospitality and Sustainable Tourism is proud to represent the country in the Young Talent Program after a final year student Ms. Manku Jackson made it to the final qualifying round of the Young Talent Program.

The Young Talent Program is organized by the World Tourism Forum Lucerne targeting tourism students from across the globe. The students are given a research related challenge to try and find solutions to the problems bedeviling the tourism sector globally. Each student will prepare a research proposal and submit to the World Tourism Forum through their respective institutions.
The students are tested on critical thinking, problem solving and articulation-key attributes of any 21st century graduate. The winners of the first round of this competition will have to make a video presentation of their project which will undergo another rigorous adjudication. Those who make it will now undergo an aptitude test after which they will qualify to represent the institution in Lucerne Switzerland. Ms Manku Jackson is still waiting outcome of aptitude test. Three out of the remaining five contestants per category will qualify and participate.

(Reference: https://www.wtflucerne.org/young-talent-programme Videos of the contestants in the final round are available for viewing). In 2019, two students Senatla Courageous Gabobofane and Kesego Oratile Obona participated and made the university proud. All qualifying candidates are assigned to a globally recognized tourism and hospitality company executive for mentoring and coaching. All qualifying candidates are assigned to a globally recognized tourism and hospitality company executive for mentoring and coaching. This makes the students more informed about the industry and boosts their professional network, which will improve their international employability.