Jamal Feerasta, UA professor of hospitality management, with students at Henan University.
Jamal Feerasta, professor of hospitality management at The University of Akron's Summit College, welcomed the invitation to conduct seminars on the hospitality industry in China at Sias International University in Xin Zheng and Henan University in Kaifeng Dec. 17 to Dec. 29. Feerasta presented two-day workshops for undergraduate and graduate students in the tourism and hotel management programs. Participants learned about operations, management and marketing aspects of the industries.
"Tourism and hospitality management are two sides of the same coin. The students were engaging and hungry to learn," says Feerasta.
According to Feerasta, China is a leading worldwide destination, which receives millions of visitors each year who generate tens of billions of dollars. He adds that some 360 United States hotel chains are expected to open in China within the next two years.
"It’s important for colleges and universities to form partnerships around the world. This will satisfy the need for trained supervisors and managers in the growing hospitality industry," says Stanley Silverman, dean of UA’s Summit College.
Feerasta is eager for the UA's hospitality management program to work with similar programs in China.
Media contacts: Paige Poleondakis, 330-972-6482 or pep7@zips.uakron.edu, or Denise Henry, 330-972-6477 or henryd@uakron.edu.