Mr Chen Yong, a research student in the Doctor of Philosophy in Hotel and Tourism Management programme, received the Best Paper Award for his paper entitled "Information Asymmetries on Quality: The Case of Chinese Package Tourists", which was recognised as one of the three Best Papers at the 16th Annual Graduate Education and Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism in Houston, USA, on 6-8 January.
Two groups of nine SHTM students from amongst 55 competing groups won Community Service Awards 2009/10 for their outstanding achievements in serving the community. The Awards were received at the Community Service Award Presentation Ceremony held at the Chiang Chen Studio Theatre on the PolyU Campus on 19 January. One group of students received the Silver Award and the Best Demonstration of Teamwork Award for their project entitled "Harmonious Community Starts with Acceptance and Care". Another group won the "Certificate of Excellence" for a project entitled "Catering Training Workshop for Hong Chi Association".
Thirty SHTM undergraduate students are currently hard at work as members of the Organising Committee for the ninth APacCHRIE Conference to be held at Hotel ICON on 2-5 June. To encourage paper submission and promote the conference, they organised a Chinese Tea Reception on 19 January. Chinese tea and hot dim sum made by the committee members were served at the event.
A graduation ceremony on 26 January saw SHTM students receiving awards for their outstanding contributions to and participation in the Faculty-based Peer Mentoring Programme 2010-11. Cho Tsz-chun received the Outstanding Peer Mentor Award. Chan Man-wing, Lau Kit-yan, Viviani, Leung Chi-ho, Lo Hiu-yan and Sin Ka-chun received Outstanding Mentee Awards. Cho Tsz-chun and Chow Ka-chun won the Outstanding Faculty Team Award. Over 200 peer mentors and freshmen gathered to celebrate the successful completion of the programme.
Dr Jue Huang, a 2008 graduate of the Doctor of Philosophy in Hotel and Tourism Management programme, has received the Highly Commended Award of the 2010 Emerald/EFMD Outstanding Doctoral Research Awards in the Hospitality management category based on her Ph.D. thesis "Customer-to-Customer Interaction: Impact on Cruise Experience and Overall Vacation Satisfaction". Dr Huang is currently teaching at the Beijing Hospitality Institute.
Ms Emmy Yeung, a research student in the Master of Philosophy in Hotel and Tourism Management programme, has been awarded the Chung Hwa Travel Service Scholarship 2010/11.
Ms Gloria Chan, a research student in the Master of Philosophy in Hotel and Tourism Management programme, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship as part of the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fellowships 2010/11.
With effect from 1 March 2011, the title of Professor Kaye Chon has been changed from Director of School of Hotel and Tourism Management to Dean of School of Hotel and Tourism Management. The titles of Professor Cathy Hsu and Professor Adele Ladkin have also been changed to Associate Deans.
