Hotel chiefs among lecturers of new hospitality course

The first class of the College of Shanghai Lausanne Hospitality Management began at J Hotel in Shanghai Tower on Wednesday. It invites senior executives of leading enterprises in the hotel industry to give lectures.

Co-launched by the world's first hotel school Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne and Shanghai Business School in June, the college opened to full-time undergraduates. More than 70 enrolled freshmen attended the first class.

Michel Rochat, CEO of EHL, sent blessings to the students via a video in the first class.

"The young talent here today at Shanghai Business School is the future of the community. We are here to make you grow, to inspire you and make you feel as valued members together to quest excellence in education," Rochat said.

"As young talents, you will grow and develop yourselves, you will benefit from the amazing program, which will give you the opportunity to find meaningful jobs that you're passionate about," he added.

Sun Jie, CEO of travel booking platform Trip.com Group, introduced the group's large accommodation business to the students in the first class. Peng Lijun, general manager of the InterContinental Shanghai Ruijin, shared his personal experience in the hotel industry.

Meanwhile, Chen Liming, executive director of Jinjiang International (Group), discussed the current situation and vision of Jinjiang and encouraged students to join the hotel industry.

So far, the college has set two majors: hotel management and e-commerce.

About one-third of the lecturers come from EHL, one-third from Shanghai Business School and the rest from industry leaders, according to Ren Jianbiao, dean of the college.

Faculties from both colleges will jointly participate in interviewing students and enrollment.

"In terms of education and teaching, we will build a high-level international demonstration hotel management college with Lausanne's standards and model," said Chen Jianfeng, vice-dean of Shanghai Business School.

Besides sharing experiences, representatives of the college of Shanghai Lausanne Hospitality Management signed contracts with several industry giants in the first class to cultivate more talents together.

Among them, Donghu Group will set up three professional courses in the first semester, Jinjiang Group will provide more internship opportunities and Trip.com will establish e-commerce courses and a big data center.

"I believe that the college of Shanghai Lausanne Hospitality Management will become a world-famous hotel management college that integrates industry and education through continuous efforts and makes new and positive contributions to promoting the sustainable development of economy and society," said Su Hua, vice-chairman of the China Vocational Education Association.