Atmosphere Foundation donates industrial kitchen equipment to MNU
Atmosphere Foundation has formally handed over a suite of high-quality industrial kitchen equipment to The Maldives National University (MNU), strengthening practical training facilities for students pursuing Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management.
The official handover ceremony was held Thursday at MNU Central Administration building. The donated equipment has been fully installed and is ready for immediate instructional use by faculty and students.
The donation is designed to support skills-based learning and strengthen industry readiness among students preparing for careers in the hospitality and tourism sector. The equipment will allow students to train in a professional kitchen environment, helping bridge classroom instruction with practical application.
Abdul Azeez Abdul Hakeem, Vice President of Atmosphere Foundation, said the initiative reflects the Foundation’s commitment to education, skills development and long-term support for the Maldivian hospitality sector.
“Atmosphere Foundation believes that meaningful progress in hospitality begins with investing in people and practical learning,” Abdul Azeez said. “By providing industry-standard kitchen equipment to MNU, we hope to give students better access to hands-on training and help prepare the next generation of Maldivian culinary and hospitality professionals for the workplace.”
Zeenath Solih, Dean of the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies at The Maldives National University, said the donation would enhance the faculty’s ability to deliver practical training aligned with industry expectations.
“For students in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management, access to industrial equipment is essential to building competence, confidence and discipline,” Zeenath said. “This meaningful collaboration between Atmosphere Foundation and MNU-FHTS contributes to academic excellence and the development of graduate attributes, aligning with MNU’s vision and commitment to nation-building. It will directly support our teaching and training environment, allowing students to gain practical experience using equipment similar to what they will encounter in professional kitchens.”
The partnership also includes measures to ensure the donated assets are maintained and used for their intended educational purpose. MNU will follow operational standards including supervised student handling by expert faculty, temperature-controlled facilities and detailed usage logbooks. Atmosphere Foundation will retain the right to conduct periodic on-site monitoring to ensure the equipment continues to serve its core instructional purpose.
The handover marks a further step in the relationship between Atmosphere Foundation and MNU. The two institutions have previously collaborated under an MoU focused on bamboo research in the Maldives, aimed at supporting environmental and economic objectives through research, sustainability and applied learning.
