User:Ahmad-Shafiq2437/sandbox

Ahmad Shafiq
Mr. Ahmad Shafiq grew up in Pakistan before attending University of Bournemouth, UK where he studied Hospitality Management. He also subsequently obtained multiple prestigious certifications in the field of hospitality and management. He then worked for over 25 years in the hospitality industry in a variety of senior leadership positions with global players including World Bank, International Center for Business Communication, Confederation of Tourism & Hospitality (CTH), UK, World Association of Chefs Societies, Saudi Arabian Chefs Association etc. He also originated, participated and successfully completed a number of major acquisitions and integrations of hospitality, culinary and tourism industry. Mr. Shafiq founded Pakistan’s first hospitality institute, College of Tourism and Hotel Management. He is momentarily serving as CEO of COTHM Pakistan & Dubai [1]and also working with other major players of the leisure and hospitality industry across the world.

Early life and family
Ahmad Shafiq was born and raised in Okara, Pakistan. His parents, Abdul Ghani and Anwar Begum migrated from Jalandhar and settled in Shah Din Basti near Okara. He received his early education from MC High School Okara. For further studies he went to the Commercial College.

Career
He pioneered the close collaboration between the education sector and hospitality industry. After completing his Bachelors in Commerce from University of the Punjab, and Bachelors in Hospitality Management from University of Bournemouth, UK, he chose to venture into the hospitality sector of Pakistan and launched the COTHM group of Colleges in 2002.[2] Over the years, it developed into a nationwide famous hospitality and culinary education institute with branches in 15 cities and 800 employees on its payroll. Mr Shafiq is personally responsible for inducing a large number of Pakistanis into the field of hospitality. COTHM Manpower International [3]is also the brainchild of Mr Shafiq. Besides his academic activities, Ahmad Shafiq is a member of Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) [4] and All Pakistan Newspapers' Society (APNS). [5] He is also serving as Board of Directors of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC). [6]

Personal life
Ahmad Shafiq is married to Samina Shafiq. The couple has 4 children, 3 daughters Fatima, Zainab, Jannat and a son Ali.

Awards and Recognition
•	'Lamp of Knowledge Award' as an Outstanding International Hospitality Educator - 2014, recommended by the Cornell University USA and awarded by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) USA. [7] •	Prime Minister's Achievement Award - 2018, awarded by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, His Excellency, Mr. Shahid Khakan Abbasi.