The Malaysian ministry of tourism and culture (MOTAC) has partnered with a local spa academy to provide scholarships for would-be spa therapists as part of the country’s project to become a high income economy by 2020. [read more]

Previously qualified beauty and massage therapists are struggling to meet the regulatory requirements of the Dubai Health Authority’s (DHA) professional licensing unification laws for medical practitioners – launched in 2013 – according to Daniella Russell, director of dR Global, a spa consultancy, training and distribution company. [read more]

Four students deeply committed to the skincare industry at beauty schools across the US will be awarded an educational grant of up to US$1,000 (€723, £597). [read more]

A new training spa facility has been opened at the William Angliss Institute in Melbourne, Australia. [read more]

The American Hotel & Lodging Education institute (EI) has expanded its reach in Asia after signing agreements with both Beijing Hospitality Institute (BHI) and the Bandung Institute of Tourism (BIT) in West Java to become Global Academic Partners (GAP). [read more]

The International Dermal Institute (IDI) is celebrating its 30th birthday this year. [read more]

Dermalogica has pioneered its first hybrid education, retail and treatment facility in Scottsdale, Arizona - the first of a number that will open in major markets across the US. [read more]

The European Spas Association (ESPA) has published a book of quality standards for medical spas and wellness providers. [read more]

Marriott International has announced the launch of its new careers presence on the Chinese social network, Weibo, as part of efforts to hire 30,000 people by the end of 2014. [read more]

India-based spa training provider The Orient Spa Academy (OSA) has launched the country's first online spa management certificate programme for wellness professionals. [read more]

Viceroy Hotel Group has announced that it will launch a new spa at its Maldives resort on 2 April. [read more]

The Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) is looking to improve the skill levels of the country's spa and wellness workforce by investing in the training of its specialist training staff. [read more]

The Langham Hospitality Group (LHG) has announced plans to launch a therapist training academy, for employees in its signature Chuan Spas (see Spa Business 06/1 p42), during the third quarter of 2012. [read more]

Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS) has signed a partnership deal with spa software company TAC which will see students benefitting from practical guest services training. [read more]

Steiner Leisure Limited has acquired Cortiva Group, which operates seven massage therapy schools with a total of 12 campuses in the US, in a deal worth US$30m (22m euro, £19m). [read more]

Hilton Worldwide has partnered with Australia-based William Angliss Institute to develop and deliver a graduate certificate in management specialising in spa operations. [read more]

Italian entrepreneur and spa consultant Vanessa Gallinaro has launched a new training and assessment service for the spa industry that aims to improve both the individual skills of therapists as well as increasing the profitability of a spa. [read more]

Landmarc Leisure Corporation (LLC) has announced the launch of its new Svastii Wellness Academy in Adheri East, Mumbai, in a bid to capitalise on the sector's growth in India. [read more]

Anantara has added four exclusive naturopathic programmes at its Si Kao Resort & Spa in Thailand. [read more]

India-based spa and wellness institution Orient Spa Academy (OSA), has added a new Spa Management & Operations Certificate programme to its curriculum. [read more]