14th Jun 2011 - 00:00
Abstract
The Savoy Educational Trust has awarded £600,000 to Oxford Brookes University and with government match-funding the grant rises to £900,000.
The funding will support the creation of a student learning space housing the Department of Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism Management. It will include a student boardroom, areas for undertaking group-work, a 'learning-lounge', and café. Professor Janet Beer, vice chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, said of the award: "With this generous donation we can create world-class facilities for hospitality management students. The Savoy Educational Trust has displayed its commitment to the intellectual and professional development of those who aspire to leadership positions in the international hospitality industry." For Donald Sloan, head of the Department of Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism Management, the Savoy Educational Trust's support comes at the perfect time: "As we approach our re-launch as The Oxford School of Hospitality Management we will be reasserting our number one priority – the quality of the learning experience for our students. We will now be able to offer facilities that are absolutely fit for purpose, which provide a work environment that empowers students and encourages them to adopt a professional approach." This development also reflects the university's efforts to facilitate continuous interaction between students and industry representatives, including those who take on formal mentoring responsibilities. "As a school of hospitality management we have to create a hospitable and inclusive culture, something that will be easier to achieve in an inspiring architectural space," added Donald. Projects such as this will have a direct impact on the success not only of the hospitality sector, but also the UK's economy as a whole, says Ramon Pajares, Chairman of The Savoy Educational Trust. He explained: "Despite cuts to the higher education sector, universities must do all they can to continuously improve the standards of education within the hospitality sector. "The hospitality department of Oxford Brookes University has an extremely good reputation, and developing executive education to support the leaders of tomorrow is its strategic priority. The Trustees are extremely proud that one of their biggest-ever awards will create a first-class learning environment for hospitality students, and all the more delighted that they were able to award this grant during the year in which they celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Trust."