Giving hospitality managers a grounding that will inspire and influence their future careers is the vision behind a new innovation from Plymouth University.
Students at the University Hotel School, being launched in February 2014, will benefit from existing and new industry partnerships to gain enlightening experiences that will enhance their future employability.
They will also have the opportunity to work with acclaimed academics, with experience of working in some of the world’s top hotel schools, to develop the skills and motivation they need to succeed in the sector.
Establishing Plymouth as a leading centre for hospitality
The new School will aim to establish Plymouth as one of the leading national centres for hospitality education, building on its existing reputation for delivering first class academic programmes in Hospitality and Cruise Management.
Professor Paul Brunt, Head of the School of Tourism and Hospitality at Plymouth University, said:
“The University Hotel School will be dedicated to providing tomorrow’s hospitality graduates with a stimulating and engaging learning experience. By linking closely with a series of industry partners, we are working to enhance a curriculum that is already informed by sustainability, innovation and best practice. Our ambition is for our graduates to be grounded and rounded professionals, with real usiness acumen and a sense of pride in everything they do.”
Seven patrons
The new School will have seven patrons, who play prominent roles within the hospitality industry and will lend their expertise to the ongoing development of the academic programme. They are:
- Tony Potter, President of international consultants Braveagle;
- Peter Ducker, Chief Executive of The Institute of Hospitality;
- Dr Anne Pierce, Chief Executive of The Springboard Charity;
- David Dingle, CEO of Carnival UK;
- James Brent, Chairman of the Akkeron Group LLP;
- Philippe Rossiter, Executive Secretary of The Master Innholders;
- Olga Polizzi, owner of Hotel Endsleigh and daughter of the late Lord Forte.
David Dingle said: “The new Hotel School at Plymouth University has a serious ambition to prepare future graduates to be industry ready while working to provide stimulating ‘real world’ learning experiences. As a result, I believe the various degrees on offer at the Hotel School, which includes the BSc (Hons) Cruise Management, will be of real value to the Hospitality and Cruise Industry.”
Tony Potter added: “Operating and delivering hospitality is a complex discipline and it is essential that individuals and business are up to date with the very latest developments. The creation of the University Hotel School is an inspired move and a real opportunity to roll back the frontiers of learning and growth. It will act as a vocational centre of achievement, supported by the finest academic framework. For students it will provide the finest point of entry to an exciting business and to all of us it will be a dynamic and fun opportunity for personal and group growth.”
For more about the University’s Tourism and Hospitality programme click here
About Plymouth University
Consistently ranked as one of the leading universities in the UK, and awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education in 2012, Plymouth has a strong record of excellence, enterprise and innovation across its teaching and research activities. Distinguished by its long-term engagement with business and the community, the University enjoys outstanding links with employers and plays a key role in civic and regional leadership. It is the only university in the world to have been awarded the Social Enterprise Mark in recognition of its work in support of the sector.
With around 30,000 students, including those studying higher education at its partner colleges throughout the South West, the University is one of largest in the UK. It enjoys a high rate of graduate employment and has recently invested more than £150 million in its estate and facilities to enhance the student experience and support world-class research.
Plymouth has embedded sustainability across its operations, and is the overall best performing university in the People & Planet Green League.
For more information click here