Dr. Dominic Szambowski, president of the SHMS, and Hu Rongming, director of University Cooperation of SEG China, visit the HAITC on March 25. [Photo/WeChat account: HAITC]

Wang Lin, dean of the HNU-ASU Joint International Tourism College (HAITC) at Hainan University, signed a memorandum of cooperation with Dr. Dominic Szambowski, president of the Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS), and Hu Rongming, director of University Cooperation of the Swiss Education Group (SEG) China, on March 25, during their visit to the HAITC.

The HAITC signs a memorandum of cooperation with the SEG on March 25. [Photo/WeChat account: HAITC]

They discussed collaboration on the admission of graduate students, summer sessions, special courses and academic exchanges.

The SEG is Switzerland's largest educational alliance of hospitality management and business administration programs. It operates four schools, namely the SHMS, César Ritz Colleges Switzerland, Hotel Institute Montreux and the Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland, all of which rank among the top 10 in the 2022 QS World University Rankings for Hotel Management. In particular, the SHMS made third place on the prestigious ranking list.

During the meeting, Wang briefed visitors on the history and development of the HAITC. As Hainan's first Sino-foreign cooperative educational institution and China's first Sino-foreign cooperative college in tourism, the school offers three undergraduate and two graduate programs and is committed to promoting lifelong learning, critical thinking, cross-cultural competence and international competitiveness.

Wang said that undergraduates from the HAITC have outperformed their peers in both post-graduate entrance examinations and the job market.

Dr. Dominic Szambowski, president of the SHMS, speaks at the meeting on March 25. [Photo/WeChat account: HAITC]

Szambowski hailed the HAITC's educational philosophy and spoke highly of students' English proficiency. He said that the SHMS has always attached great importance to offering its students advanced and professional theoretical knowledge and improving their all-round competence and practical skills.

The SHMS has closely integrated market demand with curriculum design, promoted practical education, improved students' insights through unremitted efforts, and has been at the forefront of academic circles, Szambowski noted.

Wang Lin (L), dean of the HAITC, presents a special gift to Dr. Dominic Szambowski, president of the SHMS, during their meeting on March 25. [Photo/WeChat account: HAITC]

He Jianhui, plan design director of University Cooperation of SEG China, introduced the specific plans concerning SEG’s post-graduate programs, business etiquette, wine appreciation and summer academic visits. He expressed his hope that the SEG will share its international resources in the hospitality sector with the HAITC.

Dr. Dominic Szambowski, president of the SHMS, shakes hands with a student during his visit to the HAITC on March 25. [Photo/WeChat account: HAITC]