Based on a similar model used for young Australians, the scholarship program aims to provide passionate individuals with the opportunity to gain excellent international qualifications and a fast-track to hospitality industry employment.

Two scholarships will be made available for students from each country, wishing to study the Le Cordon Bleu Bachelor of Business degrees in either �International Restaurant & Catering Management, or International Convention & Event Management.  Students can commence studies in either January or July 2005.

Valued at $10,000 the degrees are aimed at supporting the burgeoning hospitality industry, by allowing more young individuals to gain world class skills required to work in the dynamic and fast paced environment of international hospitality.

Adelaide, South Australia is the only place in the world offering these two-and-a-half-year entrepreneurial hospitality management degrees, through Le Cordon Bleu and partnering educational institutes.

Events & Marketing Manager for Le Cordon Bleu, Ms Sophie Davies says that �students are selected for their passion, dedication and enthusiasm for the hospitality industry, by exposing them to a range of students from different cultures, backgrounds and beliefs these students will be more �in tune with the global needs of the hospitality industry�.

Scholarship winners will study alongside Australian as well as international students from more than 30 countries including South Korea, the US, Spain and India.  Students start the courses at the Regency Hotel School, while their final year is based at the University of SA�s City West campus.

The degrees are also rich in industry-placement/ internship opportunities, with students spending a total of 12 months of the course working within their chosen industry (ie. restaurants, hotels, convention centres) to gain valuable practical knowledge.

Le Cordon Bleu Australia General Manager Rodger Griffiths described the scholarship program as �an integral part of Le Cordon Bleu�s dedication to industry and a terrific opportunity to prepare young individuals for the competitive environment they face internationally�.

University of SA Associate Professor Paul Reynolds said the scholarships were a fantastic opportunity for students.

�The international focus of the courses prepares students for the cultural, as well as managerial, challenges they will face in their careers. In supporting passionate students gaining access to these courses, Le Cordon Bleu is helping them gain a competitive edge in the market,� Mr Reynolds said.

Students gain two qualifications from these degrees � an Australian University Degree (conferred by the University of SA), as well the International Le Cordon Bleu award.

The $10,000 scholarship goes a long way towards helping students pay the overall $55,000 fee for the courses.
 

Richard Cole, a recent recipient of a Le Cordon Bleu scholarship, believes the course �will be a great professional starting block�.

Background on Le Cordon Bleu�
Le Cordon Bleu (meaning �The Blue Ribbon�) was founded in Paris in 1895 and today is a multi-national education company with 25 schools in 15 countries, attended by more than 12,000 students. Le Cordon Bleu has established itself as the international benchmark for culinary (cuisine and patisserie) arts.  Since 1992, Le Cordon Bleu has also been a major international publisher of culinary books, learning videos and CD-Roms. Le Cordon Bleu was established in Adelaide in 1998 in association with the Regency Hotel School.