Melinda joins the Marriott Junior Business Council

Melinda Kwok, a recent International Hospitality Management graduate from the University of Central Lancashire is now the Executive floor receptionist at the Shanghai Marriott City Centre Hotel. In March 2016, she was nominated by the General Manager, Mr. Frank Sanders, to join the Marriott Junior Business Council. The council doesn’t just improve personal leadership skills for its members, but also helps to emphasize Marriott’s team spirit.

Melinda was nominated to join as her out-going personality, combined with her inner creativity was felt to be the perfect combination for a Council member. Mr. Silvio Rosenberg, the President of the Business Council appointed Melinda to be the Designated Event Planner for May. Her task was to plan and deliver a Team Building Day for Council Members. During the event planning process, she carefully planned activities and exercises for participants, drawing on skills she’d developed during her UCLan degree such as time management, communication and strategic planning. She had to pay careful attention to the small details to ensure that the event would achieve its objectives.

On 19th May 2016, the participants at the event had a wonderful day and it gave them the opportunity to get familiar with each other by interacting through games and talking within a relaxed environment. The main activity of the day was a cake making competition where prizes were awarded to the best decorated cake. This was followed by a professional cocktail making class, where the participants got to make popular cocktails. With Melinda’s excellent planning skills, the event was extremely successful and was enjoyed by all participants who states it will create a nice memory that they can look back on fondly. Melinda said:

“I’ve learnt so much from this event, the planning process has allowed me pay close attention to the finer details that I can apply to future tasks and roles. I aim to be more involved in activities carried out by the Junior Business Council. I also strive to impact my colleagues and customers with my passion and vitality” 

Melinda’s next project will be the ‘Mid-Autumn Festival’. The event will celebrate the fire men for being heroes, she’ll be organising the best cake making competition again as well as various group games and activities to make it a fun filled day for all.

Lawrence discusses UCLan's hospitality

The University of Central Lancashire was recommended to me whilst I was searching for Hospitality Management courses, as they are one of the best for the courses within the UK.

I feel the United Kingdom has a great culture with a welcoming community, especially within Preston. The education at UCLan provides a variety of innovative learning styles with a high level of academics who all have industry experience; which they can transfer their knowledge and experiences to guide and prepare us for our chosen industries.

One of the highlights of International Hospitality Management at UCLan were the field trips that provided a hands on experience and also allowed me to bond with my course mates. The variety of overseas placements that the University contact us with is a great help when trying to find an international placement, in UCLan allowing me to participate within a placement year provided me with industry exposure; which you don’t typically obtain at other universities.

My lasting memories of UCLan will be the great help, support and guidance I received from my lectures throughout the four years. As an international student, it was a culture shock and I originally struggled getting used to the environment but through the amazing support I received I began settling in and began to make friends. My personal tutor was one of my main supporters who helped and guided me through the transition of moving to the United Kingdom.

Another example of great support I received from UCLan was during my placement year, where I had a crisis of confidence regarding my ability to do the job to a high enough standard whilst I was in Hong Kong. My lecturers Louisa Jones and Jane Shaw visited me to help me overcome my concerns so by the end of the placement I didn’t want to leave.  Their assistance has enabled me to successfully challenge myself and never give up at the first hurdle.

Now that I have graduated I will be continuing my academic journey by studying a Masters in Sciences of Business Management at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Division of Tourism, Hospitality and Events Excellence Prize is awarded to Peng Tang (Lawrence)

BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management graduate Peng Tang (Lawrence) is awarded the Division of TH&E Excellence Prize. His results have steadily improved year on year, culminating in him achieving first class honours.  He has been awarded the Excellence Prize for his outstanding contribution to his course and service to the University as a Student Ambassador, both here in Preston and internationally.

Lawrence has often talked about his work placement achievements. Employers recognized his professionalism and by the end of his second year, he had received four international internship offers.  He cleverly combined three of them to enable him to gain industry experience at Universal Studios in Florida, USA, the Mira Moon and Swire’s EAST Hotels, both in Hong Kong.

During a field trip to Poland, Lawrence – ever the charming gentleman – along with his male colleagues, bought half the flowers in a local florist to present to their female classmates on the field trip to celebrate Women’s Day – such a nice gesture, showing a high level of cultural awareness and an appreciation of diversity. Lawrence says: “My four years at UCLan and overseas hospitality industry placements have inspired me to explore my maximum potential and challenge myself on this journey of learning, without loss of enthusiasm.” Lawrence is going to study MSc Business Management at HK Poly University and we wish him as much success in his post graduate study as he has had at undergraduate level.

Marriott Prize for Hospitality is awarded to Ben Hammond

Ben has achieved BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management with first class award. He is the recipient of the Marriott Prize for Hospitality, not only because of achieving the highest average grade point in his studies, but also to celebrate his outstanding employability skills. Ben is a pleasure to teach – he challenges himself and everyone around – in a very polite, but forceful manner, demanding clarification from the tutors and fellow students alike, until he is happy with an answer.

Ben, who is pursuing his dream of becoming a general manager of a hotel, applied for Graduate Management Schemes in hospitality and participated in a number of complex selection tests, whilst completing his final year studies. Ben fought off fierce competition and is starting his next step of ‘climbing the ladder’ most appropriately, given his prize, with Marriott Hotels in Liverpool.

He says: “UCLAN has been filled with the most amazing experiences of my life. Firstly, the friendships that have been made will last for a lifetime with people from all over the globe, from China to Latvia to South Africa to Preston and many more. Secondly, the lecturers and support staff who have been forever willing to help at any point of my degree, thank you because you have been brilliant. Thirdly, my placement year where I went from South Africa to Sheffield. South Africa taught me so much, not only about hospitality, but also about community, friendship and the power of music! Finally, graduating with a first class degree and being given this award has made it an overwhelming experience that I will never forget."

We all wish Ben the best on his career pathway!

Melinda - My Academic Journey at UCLan

Hello, I’m Melinda a 22 year old student from Hong Kong. I was studying in Singapore for the past four years at Informatics Academy. Last year I graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with a BA (Hons) Management in Hospitality. Upon graduating I relocated to Shanghai, sending out my curriculum vitae to several employers. I found it challenging trying to find a job; however, through previous work experience, including a 6-month internship at the Singapore Mandarin Orchard hotel and knowledge gained during my degree, I managed to receive offers from Shanghai Disney resort and the Marriott City Centre Hotel. I really enjoy working at the Marriott Hotel in the executive lounge. I am enthusiastic to carry out my role and liaise with clients and guests. Initially I found the role challenging and it required me to think on my feet and adapt my problem solving skills. My manager and colleagues encouraged me throughout the process and after a short time I adapted to my new working environment and my confidence grew. In December 2015, one evening at work brought a very pleasant surprise! I was on the front desk and was amazed to see Louisa Jones, my professor from UCLan who awarded me my graduation certificate. We were both delighted to meet each other again and I told her my plans and visions for my future career.

First Year International Hospitality Management students put learning into practice

First Year International Hospitality Management students put their learning into practice when they cooked and served two dinners for invited guests, family and friends. Over the year, they learn practical cookery and serving skills alongside the academic theory, each week practising a different element of a three course meal culminating in the two dinners. Head Chef Noel Emms and Module Tutor Jackie Cunningham were on hand to supervise, encourage and motivate the students in the kitchen and front-of-house and they were very pleased with the result. Jackie said:

Second year Hospitality students in Cyprus!

Did you know that students in International Tourism Management and International Hospitality Management at UCLan (Preston) can choose to spend their second year at our Cyprus campus? You just need to let us know in the first year that this is what you’d like to do - simple. Other destinations in Europe and the USA are available through exchange programmes. Here is the account of three of our Tourism students who have taken advantage of this amazing opportunity on the beautiful island of Cyprus…