Collaboration Between University of Essex, Kaplan and AccorHotels to Develop Future-ready Talent in Singapore�s Thriving Hotel Industry

SINGAPORE
-�Media OutReach - 28 January 2019 – University
of Essex (UOE), Kaplan and AccorHotels signed a memorandum of understanding
(MoU) on 22 January 2019 to officially launch the University of Essex Bachelor
of Arts (Honours) Hotel Management (Top-up) Degree programme, offered through
UOE’s Edge Hotel School, the first hotel school of its kind in the UK. The MoU
signifies a collaboration that sees the Degree programme encompass an
internship component, combining real-world learning with practical experience.

Through the programme and internship
opportunity, students will attain relevant knowledge and pick up essential
skills through hands-on experience, to become qualified hotel management
professionals. They will learn to manage complex situations, both practically
and professionally, and apply creative approaches to problem solving. They will
also get the opportunity to collaborate with hotel management and work on a consultancy
project in developing solutions to resolve real-life issues faced by the
industry.

The collaboration aligns with the
objective of building a strong pipeline of quality talent, which is one of the
four strategies of Singapore’s Hotel Industry Transformation Map (ITM) to
transform the hotel industry for sustainable growth. Unveiled in November 2016,
the Hotel ITM aims to accelerate business transformation and forge a
competitive industry supported by a future ready workforce.

Mr Andrew Boer, Head of
Department for Edge Hotel School at University of Essex, shared, “The Edge
Hotel School at the University of Essex is delighted to be in collaboration
with Kaplan Singapore and AccorHotels for this course. The course is
distinctive in that it encourages our undergraduate students not only to engage
with members of the hotel industry, but also to analyse and evaluate the
knowledge they gain from these interactions in the class-based activities. We
have found that this approach allows them to develop a far greater
understanding of the hotel industry, and also to apply their academic learning
in the context of their desired careers. In our experience, this not only
encourages students to develop high levels of academic understanding, but also
to become very employable professionals.”

Associate
Professor Rhys Johnson, Chief Operating Officer and Provost of Kaplan
Singapore, said, “Kaplan, together with our partner,
University of Essex, are pleased to be collaborating with AccorHotels, who is
the largest hotel group in the world outside of the United States. In combining
both UOE’s quality academic delivery and AccorHotels’ expertise in hospitality,
Kaplan students will gain sound knowledge and skills needed to thrive in this
evolving and energetic industry. Through the internship opportunity, students
can hone their soft skills and acquire valuable work experience, making them
attractive to hospitality employers in Singapore and around the region.”

Mr Marcus Hanna, General Manager of Fairmont
Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford,
shared the same vision for this meaningful collaboration, “Learning and talent development has always been a core part of the
AccorHotels culture. We are excited and committed through this collaboration
with Kaplan and the University of Essex, to take an active role in grooming and
building hospitality leaders of tomorrow. Great things in business are never
done by one person, but a team of people. We believe that this great
partnership will have an incredible impact on the overall sustainability,
growth and success of the hospitality industry, especially in Singapore. ”

For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2HskGjb.