PolyU’s Doctoral Degrees in Hotel and Tourism Management Gateways to Outstanding Career Opportunities

The School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is preparing students for leadership positions in their chosen careers by offering the cutting-edge Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Hotel and Tourism Management programme and the world's first professional Doctor of Hotel and Tourism Management (D.HTM) degree.

"The hallmark of a world-leading doctoral programme is not only the research it generates but also the extent to which it provides graduates with outstanding career opportunities," said Professor Kaye Chon, Dean and Chair Professor of the SHTM. With the focus of global tourism shifting toAsia, the SHTM is consolidating its leadership in hospitality and tourism education by offering not one but two exceptional doctoral programmes.

To provide leadership in developing future scholars in hospitality and tourism management, the SHTM offers research programmes leading to the Ph.D. degree. The critical mass of globally recognised researchers at the School, together with the attractive stipend for research students and the unique "East meets West" environment, make its highly competitive Ph.D. programme very successful.

The Ph.D. programme produces both scholars and industry professionals, with many of the School's graduates now serving the industry as well as the academia worldwide. Recent graduates of note include Dr Ahmed Salih, who is now Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Republic of the Maldives. Dr Vera Shanshan Lin moved into academia following graduation and is now Assistant Professor at the School of Management of the Zhejiang University. Dr Yong Chen has accepted an offer from the Ecole hôtelière deLausanne and will join the respected School as Assistant Professor in January 2014.

The D.HTM programme attracts a range of professionals interested in augmenting their careers, from experienced practitioners and government representatives to academics. Now in its seventh year, the ground-breaking programme has a distinct Asian focus, offers a unique combination of subjects and research, and fits the hectic schedules of students with its flexible delivery pattern.

Since its inception, the programme's truly global student base has hailed from as far and wide as Ghana, Japan, Macau, Mainland China, Korea, Taiwanand the United States. Recent graduates include Dr James Mabey, who is now Senior Vice President, Development – Asia Pacific for the Jumeirah Group, with responsibility for the Group's growth and development across the region. Dr Shu-Ying Lin, who has taken on the role of Assistant Professor and Section Chief, International Education Section of the International Affairs Office at the National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism. Dr Dahl Joe , currently Director of Training and Development at the Ambassador Hotel Group, has completed the Accor International Hospitality Management Programme for future general managers. Dr Jimmy Chiang is Head of Tourism and Hospitality at InvestHK.