The School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) recently commemorated its 45th anniversary with a grand gala dinner held at Hotel ICON. Nearly 300 esteemed guests from across the globe celebrated this significant milestone, honoring the School's longstanding commitment to excellence in hospitality and tourism education.
At the heart of the celebration was the induction of Mr. Jung-Ho SUH, Chairman of the Ambassador Hotel Group, into the prestigious SHTM Gallery of Honour. Mr. Suh was also presented with the esteemed SHTM Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his remarkable contributions to the hospitality industry. His leadership and vision have been instrumental in shaping the landscape of hospitality in Korea, making him a role model for aspiring professionals in the field.
In her welcome address, Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President of PolyU, said, “The year 2024 represents a special milestone for the SHTM. For everyone at the School and the University, the key thing to celebrate is not the mere passage of time but the vision and scale of achievement that have led to the creation of a world-leading centre of educational and research excellence that continues to set new standards for advancing knowledge and serving the hospitality and tourism industry. I have full confidence in the SHTM’s ability to reach even greater heights of global excellence and continue to lead development in the field in the years ahead”.
The SHTM's pursuit of excellence is underscored by its emphasis on innovative research and a robust research culture, fostered by its diverse faculty of over 90 academics from 20 different countries and regions. With a current enrollment of more than 1,450 students from around the world across undergraduate to doctoral programs, the School remains dedicated to nurturing the next generation of hospitality leaders.
Integral to the SHTM's innovative approach to education and research is the upscale Hotel ICON, which serves as a cornerstone for experiential learning and in-depth research. The SHTM's commitment to excellence has been further recognized by accolades such as the International Society of Travel and Tourism Educators (ISTTE) Institutional Achievement Award, which it has received twice, in 2003 and 2023, affirming its continuous pursuit of excellence over the years.
Acknowledging the collective efforts of SHTM and Hotel ICON colleagues, as well as the unwavering support from PolyU, industry partners, and alumni, the School looks towards the future with a renewed commitment to achieving even greater global excellence in the field. The highlight of the anniversary celebration was the presentation of the prestigious 2024 SHTM Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr. Jung-Ho Suh, whose exceptional leadership and dedication have left an indelible mark on the hospitality industry.
At the ceremony, Mr Suh said, “It is a great honour to be bestowed the SHTM Lifetime Achievement Award. I am humbled to accept it and join past recipients, whom I have long admired and respected. It has been a tremendous pleasure to be a part of this exciting global industry, which has, in itself, been extremely rewarding”.
Prof. Kaye CHON, SHTM Dean, Chair Professor and Walter and Wendy Kwok Family Foundation Professor in International Hospitality Management, said, “The SHTM prides itself in being a leading force in education and research in hospitality and tourism. Our commitment to excellence is well supported by industry heavyweights and visionary leaders such as Mr Jung-Ho Suh. With steadfast support from our industry partners, our School is committed to nurturing the bright minds who will become future leaders of this very exciting global industry”.
