SYSBS Kicks Off Partnership with the Cornell School of Hotel Administration

On April 16 - 17, SYSBS and the Cornell School of Hotel Administration (CSHA) held a meeting in Shanghai to discuss future cooperative programs. Representatives from SYSBS included Prof. Yadong Luo, International Dean, and Prof. Hailin Qu, Distinguished Honorary Professor. Prof. Jingyan Liu and Prof. Hui Fu represented the SYSBS Department of Tourism and Hotel Management. 

At its founding in 1922, Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration was the world's first undergraduate hospitality management program, and the master's degree program was also first when it was created in 1973. Both continue to hold international regard as premier programs of study at the Ivy League university. The prestige of the School is evidenced by the strong financial support of the hotel industry -- first from Statler Hotels, and then with continuing endowments from such hospitality giants as Hilton, Marriott, and InterContinental corporations, as well as Pillsbury, Nestlé, and Anheuser-Busch. Conrad N. Hilton, the founder of the Hilton Hotels chain, once called CSHA "the greatest hotel school in the world."

With Dean Michael D. Johnson acting for CSHA, the meeting resulted in agreement between SYSBS and CSHA on the following cooperative programs. 

Undergraduate Program
In China, CSHA has worked on a graduate program with the China European International Business School (CEIBS), and plans to establish a cooperation partnership with SYSBS for an undergraduate program. The contract establishes that each year as many as 10 undergraduate students from the SYSBS Department of Tourism and Hotel Management can be assigned to CSHA for one semester or one year. After completing two years of study at SYSBS, students are eligible to take courses at CSHA in the third year, and will obtain a certificate issued by CSHA. Similarly, CSHA can send a group of students to SYSBS each year. The incoming exchange students are expected to complete the Management Internship Program (MIP). Course credits are recognized by both schools. 

Senior Training Program
In the Senior Training Program, Tourism Real Estate is taken as the most important course. The program will be undertaken through either the Professional Development Program (PDP) or as the General Manager Program (GMP). SYSBS's strongest courses will be also melded into this two-week program. 

Teacher Exchange Program
SYSBS professors may apply for a position as visiting professor at CSHA.

Distinguished Honorary Professor
Dean Johnson will become a Distinguished Honorary Professor for SYSBS. Beyond the direct academic expertise that he will bring to the program, Dean Johnson's engagement with SYSBS will be meaningful for strengthening the communication and cooperation between SYSBS and other top-tier global universities. 

Dean Johnson is a world-renowned scholar whose research focus is on the development of customer information systems and management of customer relationships. He has published extensively, both books and articles in major refereed journals. As well, Dean Johnson has consulted for a diverse range of companies and public agencies, including Promus Hotels, Northwest Airlines, the National Association of Convenience Stores, Dell Corporation, Dow Chemical, Schering Pharmaceutical and Volvo. His areas of concentration have focused on marketing strategy, services management, service excellence, customer portfolio management, new service development, customer satisfaction measurement, and relationship management. 

Dean Johnson plasn to visit SYSBS in early 2014. Directors of both the International Program and the Senior Training Program from CSHA will follow, as the next stage of cooperation between SYSBS and CSHA.
 

Group Photo