Students receive Maltmen Award for academic excellence in hospitality and tourism
Two Strathclyde students have been awarded an annual award for 'academic excellence in Hospitality and Tourism Management' which is sponsored by the Incorporation of Maltmen in Glasgow and presented each year to a student on the Hospitality and Tourism Management undergraduate degree.
Strathclyde Business School students Orla McConville and Samantha Upton jointly won the annual award which is presented to students undertaking the Hospitality and Tourism Management undergraduate degree.
This year's Maltmen Awards had another impressive group of finalists who took part in a 'Dragons Den' type final, which took place within the Trades Hall of Glasgow.
The award is to celebrate ‘academic excellence and application of class concepts on relevant practical cases through an individual written assignment’.
At this year's Finals, the judges agreed that all four finalists showed well researched and analysed reports on their chosen organisations.
The Hospitality & Tourism Management students were asked to provide an overview of the value chain activities and stakeholder involvement; discuss key contemporary issues and barriers, either economic, environmental or social the company faces; and identify potential value chain upgrading opportunities (practical recommendations for the company).
The four finalists and the companies they researched were: Andrew Readman: Campervan Brewery; Orla McConville: Glaswegin; Gordon Drennan: Cremola Foam; and Samantha Upton: Matthew Algie.
Joint winners Samantha and Orla were both awarded a quaich to be held by the Faculty with the names of the winners engraved, a cash prize of £500, a paid invitation to the Incorporation’s Annual Dinner at Trades House, lifelong membership and publication of the assignment summary on the Maltmen website.
Tom Bourkel, who teaches on the Hospitality and Tourism Management programme in the Department of Work, Employment and Organisation, said, “All finalists did an incredible job. Their work was professional, well developed and cutting edge. All were winners that day.
“Nevertheless, both Samantha and Orla managed to shine through by making practical recommendations on challenges around sustainable development, waste management and celebrating good practice within the trade.”
Orla commented, "Receiving this esteemed award for Academic Excellence from the Maltmen in Glasgow was a true honour. The whole process was really enjoyable, from researching a Scottish drinks brand and developing sustainable upgrades for the company to presenting these to the Maltmen in Glasgow. The company that was the focus of my report and presentation was Glaswegin. The main issues that were addressed were the underrepresentation of females in the drinks sector as well as the single use nature of alcohol bottles.
"This project gave me a real insight into the sustainability issues which exist in the sector as well as first-hand experience working with companies. The whole process was invaluable and one I am very thankful to have been part of."
Samantha said, "The Incorporation of Maltmen competition was a great experience and I feel very privileged to receive the award. I appreciated the chance to become involved with such an esteemed organisation, whilst also gaining insight and practical knowledge of the drinks industry. I especially enjoyed meeting with representatives from the company I profiled - Matthew Algie coffee roasters - and discussing the significant challenges in the industry they are currently facing, such as the climate emergency and changing consumer tastes. I'd like to extend my gratitude to the department and of course Strathclyde Business School for such a fantastic opportunity."
Samantha and Orla received their award at the annual Maltmen dinner in March.
Published: 30 March 2023
