PolyU’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) glittered with the presence of nearly 300 distinguished guests from across the globe at a gala dinner at Hotel ICON in May to celebrate its 45 years of educational excellence in hospitality and tourism management education.

The pinnacle of the evening was the presentation of the distinguished SHTM Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr Jung-Ho Suh, Chairman of the Ambassador Hotel Group, who was also inducted into the SHTM Gallery of Honour.

A night to celebrate 45 Years of educational excellence

In her welcome address, Dr Miranda Lou, Executive Vice President, highlighted the significance of the occasion. “The year 2024 represents a special milestone for the SHTM. For everyone at the School and the University, the key thing to celebrate is not the mere passage of time, but the vision and scale of achievement that have led to the creation of a world-leading centre of educational and research excellence that continues to set new standards for advancing knowledge and serving the hospitality and tourism industry,” she said.

With a faculty of over 90 international academics and a student body of more than 1,450 from around the world, SHTM's commitment to innovative research and a robust academic culture has positioned it as a beacon of excellence. The unique, purpose-driven Hotel ICON, which opened in 2011, serves as both a nurturing ground for future hospitality leaders and a hub for cutting-edge industry research.

A tribute to visionary leadership

The SHTM Gallery of Honour, located in the School's lobby, displays portraits of outstanding recipients of the SHTM Lifetime Achievement Award, representing the world's most successful hospitality organisations and recognisable brands. The School established the Award to honour individuals who have made substantial contributions to the development of hospitality and tourism in Hong Kong, the region, and the world.

Mr Jung-Ho Suh, Chairman of the Ambassador Hotel Group, was honoured with the prestigious 2024 SHTM Lifetime Achievement Award. An esteemed leader in the dynamic field of hospitality, Mr Suh is a pioneer of the hospitality industry in Korea, having achieved remarkable business success by expanding the Ambassador Hotel Group to embrace a highly diverse range of brands under Accor-Ambassador Korea. Known for his relentless pursuit of innovation and success within the organisation and the broader hospitality industry, Mr Suh received numerous accolades for his contributions.

Professor Kaye Chon, Dean of SHTM, Chair Professor and Walter and Wendy Kwok Family Foundation Professor in International Hospitality Management, warmly congratulated Mr Suh on his well-deserved honour, “Our commitment to excellence is well supported by industry heavyweights and visionary leaders such as Mr Jung-Ho Suh. With steadfast support from our industry partners, our School is committed to nurturing the bright minds who will become future leaders of this very exciting global industry.”

To learn more about Mr Jung-Ho Suh and his remarkable accomplishments, please visit SHTM's website.