An international scientific and practical conference dedicated to working professions in catering management, the hotel industry, restaurant services, and tourism was held in Pavlodar. The event was organized by Toraighyrov University and the Pavlodar College of Service and Catering.

The conference brought together faculty members, students, representatives of colleges and universities, employers, and hospitality industry experts from Kazakhstan, Russia, and Germany. The event was opened by Nurlan Erzhanov, Vice-Rector of ToU for Research and Commercialization, who emphasized the importance of cooperation between universities and colleges in training specialists for the tourism, service, and catering sectors.

G. Shugabayeva, Director of the Pavlodar College of Service and Catering, spoke about the development of specialties in hotel and restaurant services, catering management, and tourism, highlighting the college’s role as a regional center of competencies. Helen de Wolf, an expert from Germany, shared her experience of international partnership with the Pavlodar College of Service and Catering, noting the high level of professionalism of faculty and students, as well as the significance of practice-oriented education. Among the speakers were business representatives and employers, including M. Muzaparova, General Director of Krendel LLP, who spoke about prospects for the development of the confectionery and restaurant industry in the region.

The plenary sessions addressed issues such as the implementation of WorldSkills standards in workforce training, the development of dual education, digitalization of the learning process, and sustainable technologies in the food industry. Online speakers from Kazan, Aktau, Almaty, and Pavlodar presented reports on international vocational training practices, energy-saving technologies, the formation of tourism brands, and ensuring the quality of hotel products.

In addition, conference participants attended master classes held at the Pavlodar College of Service and Catering with the support of WorldSkills Kazakhstan and the Caspian Center. The program concluded with the ceremonial opening of a branch of the Department of Geography and Tourism of Toraighyrov University at the Pavlodar College of Service and Catering.