"No one is as smart as all of us," proclaimed by Kenneth Blanchard, setting the tone for the recently concluded 7th International Tourism and Hospitality Students' Convention held at the University of Baguio Gymnasium last April 15, 2023.
As opposed to the backdrop of an evolving world, where face-to-face interactions and virtual connections intertwine, this year's convention embraced a groundbreaking hyflex approach. With a theme, "Fostering Collaboration: Cultivating Resilience Towards Sustainable Recovery,” the convention aimed to harness the collective intelligence, innovation, and determination of students, educators, industry experts, and resilient leaders from around the globe.
With a resolute commitment to academic excellence, the School of International Hospitality and Tourism Management proudly upholds its reputation and recognition for its unwavering dedication to impeccable and remarkable events. Among these notable events is the International Tourism and Hospitality Students Convention, a testament to the school’s firm pursuit of perfection. Through these captivating events, which often feature competent and esteemed international speakers, students are imbued with unparalleled knowledge and enriched experiences, solidifying their status as Home of the Champions.
To handle and achieve the Convention's goal of addressing the Industry's dynamic developments in hospitality and tourism education, the School of IHTM has invited five exemplary industry experts as speakers for the event. In this age, where we transcend into a more developed and modernized society, staying ahead of the trend and being technologically savvy paves the way to having competitive advantages in the market. With this, the convention was jump-started by Dr. Freddie Quinito, a certified and accredited National Master Trainer of the Philippine Department of Tourism who talked about the “Digital Transformation: Upskilling and Reskilling in the Hybrid Workplace”. Following him was Dr. Jonathan Rante Carreon, the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Huachiew Chalermprakiet University in Samut Prakan, Thailand, wherein he shared the importance of “Research and Innovation as Drivers to an Inclusive and Resilient Recovery in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry.”
After a sumptuous lunch and an amusing performance by the department's talented students, participants from various institutions enjoyed engaging physically with the UB-SIHTM students. The presentation by Dr. Grichawat Lowatcharin, Associate Dean for Academic, Research, and Global Affairs in the College of Local Administration at Khon Kaen University in Thailand, on the "Power of Connections in Empowering the Future Industry Workforce" has helped the participants to thoroughly recognize the significance of establishing connections and relationships with people in the industry. Subsequently, Mr. Huanan Su, a former Director of the Foreign Students Affairs office in the College of International Education at Guilin Medical University, People’s Republic of China, in which he provided insights about the “Benefit of Learning a Foreign Language”. The fifth and last topic entitled “Recalibrating Expectations in a World of Uncertainty: Global Sustainable Practices in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry - a Focus on Malaysia” which was discussed by Dr. Norzuwana Sumarjan, the Dean of the Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management in the Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.
After each speaker, a panel reaction portion is done, in which industry experts and instructors from Tourism and Hospitality Educational Institutions were able to share their insights and question the speaker regarding the discussion.
This year's international convention was held in hyflex mode after over two years of holding e-Conventions. Over 396 onsite attendees crowded the UB Gymnasium, including representatives from the University of Northern University of Northern Philippines, Data Center College of the Philippines - Baguio, and Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation. 32 participants from Señor Tesoro College Inc., The University of Northern Philippines, the International School of Asia and the Pacific, and Cavite State University-Silang Campus also attended virtually in the virtual space approach provided by the organizers. Without tasty refreshments that stimulate the students, a gathering would fall short. With this, without the tireless work and dedication of the SIHTM Department's hospitality and culinary students, who prepared and served all of the convention's meals and snacks as well as helped set up the site, the event would undoubtedly not have been as memorable as it has been.
After weeks of countless efforts and sleepless nights poured by the Event Organizers, the 7th International Tourism and Hospitality Students' Convention was a spectacular success— epitomizing team cohesion and determination. The victory of the aforementioned convention would not have been possible without the leadership of the event organizers, led by Ms. Rachel Grace A. Liclican, CGSP, MBA as the Overall Event Chairperson, Ms. Joanna Marie Victorio, CGSP, MBA as the BSTM Program Chair, efforts and involvement of all the SIHTM Faculty, and with the unwavering support and guidance of the SIHTM Dean, Ms. Jenelyn Mangangey-Magpatoc, CGSP, MHRD. This year's convention represented a watershed point in the industry's transformation, laying the groundwork for future growth and collaboration.