Emirates Airline strengthens link with SBS
Student at work in hospitality suites
Students on Strathclyde Business School's Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) programme have so impressed Emirates Airline that the Middle Eastern Airline has agreed to formalise the relationship and double the number of students it takes to the next biennial Dubai Airshow, the fastest growing airshow in the world.
For some years now, Emirates Airline's HR people have come to Strathclyde to interview second and third year students on the HTM programme and then fly out the students to the airshow where they are accommodated and trained by Emirates for 12 days.
Andrew MacLaren, a business school PhD student who has been instrumental in securing Strathclyde's relationship with Emirates, said, "The opportunity to go to the Dubai Airshow has now become a central part of the Hospitality and Tourism programme, and makes up the practical element of an events management class. To take part, second and third year students go through a formal application process with Emirates. This year, 35 students were chosen, but Emirates have been so impressed with our students that they intend to take between 80 and 100 students out next time. They have also formalised the arrangement with us, in response to the exceptional contribution that the students have made to the airshow, and are keen to get more involved with the programme so it is likely Emirates will be involved in the actual assessment of the class in the future as well."
Students are first trained in areas such as safe practices in the working environment, and health and hygiene before they are set to work in hospitality suites at the airshow. These suites are hired by clients to host business meetings and networking events. The students are tasked with the responsibility of taking care of the well-being of corporate guests at what is one of the largest business to business trade shows in the world.
This year, they have been looking after dignitaries such as the President of Senegal, Prince of Jordan and the Sheikhs of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as well as executives from the aircraft industry. While they are overseen by senior staff at Emirates, many of the Strathclyde students manage individual suites and are effectively in charge on a daily basis.
Andrew added, "The students have to contend with processing a lot of information at the start of the trip, and then being given great responsibility within a gruelling schedule in a very challenging climate. However, the students love the experience and find it incredibly rewarding. They make valuable contacts across a range of industries which will stand them in good stead for the future, and many receive actual job offers, for everything from corporate hospitality and PR to events management, which is testament to the quality of Strathclyde Business School students. In terms of experience, this event is really second to none."
Dr Kevin O'Gorman, Director of the Hospitality and Tourism undergraduate course and who has been influential in establishing the business school's link with Emirates Airline, commented, "The internship programme gives our students the chance to gain hands-on experience at a leading event and develop an international outlook on business. We are extremely pleased to have the support of Emirates Airline in order to offer our students this opportunity."
For more information on Hospitality and Tourism at Strathclyde visit: http://www.strath.ac.uk/management/htm/
