MANILA, Philippines – MasterCard Worldwide and U21Global have announced the recipients of the MasterCard-U21Global scholarship program for women professionals in the travel and tourism industry.
Eleven women have been offered full scholarships to pursue the Postgraduate Diploma of Business Administration from U21Global, the world’s premier online graduate school.
This is the fifth consecutive year that MasterCard and U21Global are collaborating to offer this scholarship program.
Indian professionals continued to top the list of recipients, with four women from the country being awarded the scholarship, followed by the Philippines, with three recipients.
Other recipients of the scholarship this year come from China, Hong Kong, Thailand, and New Zealand.
The recipients come from a wide variety of organizations ranging from national tourism councils to hotels, airlines and travel agencies. Majority of them are in senior- to mid-level positions.
Launched in 2006, the U21Global Postgraduate Diploma of Business Administration aims to empower women executives through the development of their skills in the management and marketing fields of the travel and hospitality industry.
The program consists of core management subjects such as Organizational Behavior, Finance, Marketing Management and Strategic Management, valuable knowledge they can apply within their respective professional fields.
The recipients are appreciative of the program’s unique online approach that enables them to interact with professionals from across the Asia-Pacific as well as manage their time better.
Jennifer Rosal Jayme, reservations supervisor at Lagen Island Resort in the Philippines, said, “Being awarded the MasterCard Worldwide-U21Global scholarship is truly a privilege and a blessing. I expect to learn more about the tourism industry on a global level through interaction with my fellow professionals around the world.”
“The unique way of learning at my own pace is even more exciting, and the benefits of learning are limitless as I will not be the only one gaining from the experience, but my company as well, because the knowledge will be cascaded to my co-employees,” she added.
The curriculum was designed by U21Global in collaboration with the Christel DeHaan Tourism and Travel Research Institute, a component of the University of Nottingham.
Graduates of the diploma can qualify for their Masters of Science in Tourism and Travel Management at the university, renowned for its quality graduate online education for working executives and professionals.
Nick Hutton, CEO of U21Global said, “I am very encouraged to see the impressive array of applicants who displayed great enthusiasm to further their education this year. This is the fifth year of our collaboration with MasterCard Worldwide and it has been an exceptional success — bringing our unique brand of online higher education to the regions and enabling these individuals to prepare themselves for the future.”
“MasterCard is proud to be working with U21Global for the fifth year on a program that supports our broader commitment to women’s advancement. Through this exclusive program, we have been equipping promising female travel professionals with valuable education that will assist them as they move up the corporate ladder,” said Georgette Tan, MasterCard Worldwide vice president for communication in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa.
Some 80 women have been awarded the MasterCard-U21 Global scholarship in the last four years. Those interested in more information on U21Global and its program offerings can visit www.u21global.edu.sg.