PolyU Signed Tripartite Agreement with Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne and University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management
The School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) and Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management of the University of Houston (CNHC) have come together to sign a Letter of Intent (LOI) to establish a tripartite master's degree in global hospitality business.
The signing ceremony took place today at the SHTM's teaching and research hotel, Hotel ICON, was presided over by Dr Fabien Fresnel, EHL Dean of Education and Research, Professor Kaye Chon, SHTM Dean and Chair Professor, and Professor John Bowen, CNHC Dean and Barron Hilton Distinguished Chair of the University of Houston.
The three institutions saw this agreement as an important step to promote stronger links among the three continents and provide added value for the students. Dean Fresnel said, "We are bringing three cultures together and are capitalising on three outstanding faculties and campuses. We will create a unique experience for the students, and will ultimately enhance their ability to become the next generation of business leaders who can think global and act local."
Under the LOI, the three parties have agreed to establish a new educational programme to be launched in 2015, the Master of Science (MSc) in Global Hospitality Business. The LOI stipulated that a common curriculum for the MSc degree meeting the academic standards and regulations of the respective institutions should be developed. Upon graduation, students of this unique programme will receive the MSc in Global Hospitality Business degree awarded by their home institution and a "Certification of Completion" issued by the other two partner institutions.
"Formulated with the EHL and SHTM", observed Dean Bowen, "this innovative educational strategy will enable participants to effectively lead organisations in a world that has become very connected." "When they graduate," he continued, " they will not only have a global educational experience, but will also have established network of global leaders, those they met on their journey and their classmates that took the journey with them."
Conceived in the spirit of the SHTM's innovation, this pioneering educational strategy allows students from Europe, Asia and North America to spend one semester in each of the three continents. "The programme is expected to produce a new breed of future leaders with strong global perspectives and an understanding of cultural emersion in the global hospitality business," said Professor Kaye Chon.
About PolyU School of Hotel and Tourism Management
The School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is a global centre of excellence in hospitality and tourism education and research. Based in Hong Kong at the heart of the Asia-Pacific region, SHTM combines internationally recognised academic expertise with practical, industry-focused learning across hotel, tourism, food service and events management. The School is home to more than 1,500 students and an international faculty with extensive industry experience, while its pioneering teaching and research hotel, Hotel ICON, provides a unique environment for experiential learning, innovation and applied research. Guided by its motto, “Leading Hospitality and Tourism,” SHTM works closely with industry and academic partners worldwide to advance knowledge, develop future leaders and support the continued evolution of the global hospitality and tourism sector.