Aspiring chefs may learn culinary theories and techniques in the classroom, but working inside a professional restaurant requires a different level of skill, discipline and experience. To bridge this gap, D’Tandoor International Group of Restaurants and UNITAR University College Kuala Lumpur have launched a joint Culinary Education Programme that combines academic learning with practical industry training.
The strategic partnership was officially launched on 11 August 2026 at the Michelin-recognised Roti by D’Tandoor in Kampung Datuk Keramat, Kuala Lumpur.
The ceremony was officiated by Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan. It was also attended by representatives from the government, higher education institutions, the food and beverage industry, and the media.
Bringing D’Tandoor’s Restaurant Experience Into The Classroom
The programme is designed to provide students with more than academic qualifications. It will give them direct exposure to professional restaurant operations, industry-standard practices and specialised culinary techniques.
Under the collaboration, D’Tandoor and UNITAR will jointly develop learning modules that combine academic knowledge with practical kitchen and restaurant management experience.
Students will undergo structured apprenticeships and receive mentorship from experienced culinary professionals. They will also be trained in real restaurant environments, allowing them to better understand the daily demands of the hospitality industry.
The curriculum will cover both culinary preparation and restaurant operations, giving students a more complete understanding of how the food and beverage business works.
Practical Training In Malaysia And Overseas
One of the key features of the programme is the opportunity for students to gain practical experience across D’Tandoor’s restaurant network in Malaysia and overseas.
This exposure will allow students to apply what they have learned in the classroom while developing practical skills under the guidance of industry professionals.
According to the organisers, the programme will also offer structured career placement pathways to help students transition from education into employment.
For D’Tandoor chairman Dato’ Seri Dr Haji Abdul Malik Abdullah, the partnership brings together the company’s decades of hospitality experience and UNITAR’s academic expertise.
“This partnership represents a vital nexus between traditional culinary heritage and contemporary tertiary education. By combining D’Tandoor’s decades of industry leadership with UNITAR’s academic excellence, we are empowering aspiring chefs with the skills, discipline and opportunities needed to thrive globally.”
Supporting Malaysia’s Hospitality Workforce
The collaboration comes as Malaysia’s hospitality industry continues to require workers with both technical knowledge and practical experience.
By exposing students to actual restaurant operations, the programme aims to prepare them for professional kitchen environments, customer service expectations and restaurant management responsibilities.
The initiative is also aligned with the Ministry of Human Resources’ efforts to strengthen workforce development, improve youth employability and develop high-value skills among local talent.
Instead of depending entirely on classroom-based lessons, students will be able to experience how professional kitchens and restaurants operate on a daily basis.
This could help them become more confident and better prepared before entering the workforce.
UNITAR Focuses On Employment-Ready Graduates
UNITAR University College Kuala Lumpur will contribute its academic expertise and industry-oriented education approach to the partnership.
Its vice-chancellor and chief executive, Dr Jagdeep Singh Jassel, said the collaboration would provide students with meaningful practical exposure alongside their academic achievements.
“UNITAR is committed to delivering industry-relevant education that leads directly to meaningful employment. Teaming up with an iconic brand like D’Tandoor ensures our students receive world-class practical exposure alongside their academic achievements.”
The collaboration reflects a wider focus on strengthening partnerships between educational institutions and established industry players.
Such partnerships can help students understand what employers expect while allowing companies to contribute directly to the development of future talent.
D’Tandoor And UNITAR Build A Clearer Career Pathway
The strategic partnership focuses on three main areas: an industry-integrated curriculum, structured apprenticeship and career opportunities, and workforce development for Malaysian youth.
For students, the programme creates a clearer connection between what they learn and the careers they may pursue after graduation.
For employers, it could help develop graduates who are more familiar with professional restaurant environments and better prepared for the operational demands of the hospitality industry.
D’Tandoor is a pioneer in North Indian cuisine and Malaysian hospitality, with dining establishments operating locally and internationally. Its portfolio also includes Michelin-recognised concepts committed to culinary innovation, quality and community development.
Through this partnership, D’Tandoor and UNITAR aim to develop a new generation of culinary professionals equipped with academic knowledge, practical experience and stronger access to career opportunities.
For more information, visit D’Tandoor and UNITAR.
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