Exclusive New Global Hospitality Master's Program Welcomes Inaugural Class

 

HOUSTON, Oct. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Classes are under way for the first 28 students pursuing a first-of-its-kind master's degree in Global Hospitality Business, thanks to a partnership between three of the world's top hospitality programs in Europe, Asia and the United States.

This exclusive, industry-leading program was launched in 2015 by Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management.

The students began the intense, 16-month curriculum at EHL in Switzerland in early September. They'll spend their second semester at SHTM in Hong Kong, and after three months in residence with an international hospitality company, they'll finish the program and their third semester at Hilton College in Houston.

"This program is unique in that it gives students a truly global perspective of hospitality under the guidance of industry and academic leaders on three continents, which is invaluable in this ever-expanding, worldwide industry," said Dr. Ki-Joon Back, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies at Hilton College.

While they're earning this prestigious degree, students will also gain firsthand insight about the global hotel and tourism markets and unparalleled industry exposure through professional certifications, a rigorous capstone project and business field trips to hospitality hubs across the world like Paris, Macau and New York.

Students accepted into the program choose which school will grant their degree and receive certificates from the other two institutions.

"Being able to choose the degree-granting institution lets these students tailor their degree to their post-graduation plans, while still having access to three incredible alumni networks. Specifically, a degree from UH will open more doors to them to build exceptional working relationships with the top hospitality companies based in US," said Dr. Back.

The inaugural class was selected from leading undergraduate hospitality institutions worldwide, with 19 nationalities represented. For more information on this exciting new program, visit www.uh.edu/hilton-college/About/Global-Hospitality-Masters.

(via PR Newswire)

National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Expands ProStart Program

  National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Expands ProStart Program to All States For New School Year

ProStart Introduces Secondary Students to Career Opportunities in the Restaurant and Foodservice Industry

WASHINGTON, D.C. (PRWEB) AUGUST 24, 2015

ProStart – a career and technical education (CTE) program focused on teaching culinary arts and restaurant management fundamentals to secondary school students – will now be available throughout the United States. North Dakota marks the 50th state to offer the industry-derived, competency-based program for the 2015-2016 school year.

Available in nearly 1,700 high schools and career technical centers, ProStart reaches more than 118,000 students from a broad range of racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. The program offers students a platform to discover and develop new interests and talents, and effectively teaches not only culinary and restaurant management techniques and theory, but also employability skills including teamwork, professional behavior, time management and communication that are hallmarks for achieving life-long career success.

“ProStart has a proven track record, and with this milestone, is one of the largest CTE programs of its kind, providing tangible career-readiness skills to high school students, and preparing them to enter the workforce or pursue higher education in support of their goals,” said Rob Gifford, executive vice president, strategic operations and philanthropy for the National Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

As the second-largest private sector employer in our nation’s economy, the restaurant and foodservice industry employs 14 million people and will need to fill 1.7 million new jobs in the next decade. ProStart’s goal is to connect industry to the classroom, interesting and directing young people to the careers available in the rapidly expanding restaurant and foodservice sector.

“The opportunities this program exposes students to are endless,” continued Gifford. “Whether they want to be a chef, a baker, a server, a manager, an accountant, a marketer or a business owner, the restaurant and foodservice industry has a place for them. ProStart is only the first in a series of doors that will be opened to young people who choose a rewarding restaurant or foodservice career.”

Recent research shows that 80 percent of ProStart students are engaged in class, 70 percent plan to pursue post-secondary education and one in four hope to own their own restaurant some day. In addition to participating in a hands-on and group-learning based curriculum, ProStart students have the opportunity to apply for high-value scholarships and to compete in state and national student team competitions. Additional connecting activities include work experience and the ability to earn industry-recognized credentials.

ProStart is supported by industry, educators, school administrators, the NRAEF and state restaurant associations in the U.S., Guam and Department of Defense Education Activity schools in Europe and Asia. For more information on the ProStart program, visit NRAEF.org/ProStart or find us on Twitter or Facebook.

About the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation

As the philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the NRAEF exists to enhance the restaurant industry’s service to the public through education, community engagement and promotion of career opportunities. The NRAEF works to attract, develop and retain a career-oriented professional workforce for the restaurant industry. In 2015, the restaurant and foodservice industry is projected to comprise one million outlets and a workforce of 14 million employees, making it the nation’s second largest private sector employer. For more information on the NRAEF, visit NRAEF.org.

(via PRWeb)