Laying Groundwork for ‘Transformative’ Tourism Education with Benilde and AIM
Laying Groundwork for 'Transformative' Tourism Education with Benilde and AIM
21 October 2024
Last October 15, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) to strengthen collaborative efforts between the two institutions. The MOU focused specifically on the partnership between Benilde’s School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (SHRIM) and AIM’s Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism
With furthering research efforts at the core of this new collaboration, AIM President and Dean Prof. Jikyeong Kang emphasized in her opening message that instead of individually expending skills and resources on separately-done research, it is better to pull the resources and the bright minds together for greater impact.
“The Philippines has so much to offer in terms of tourism. This collaboration is another step closer to what we can do to further develop our industry,” she expressed.
Benilde Chancellor Benhur Ong delivered a message of support thereafter. He claimed that this partnership is “poised to lead in the adoption of learner-centered pedagogy with a strong emphasis on case studies specifically contextualized within the Philippine landscape.”
Ong said that this MOU will further promote active learning and student engagement, conceptual understanding, and sharpened strategic business perspectives by bridging the gap in theoretical knowledge and practical business applications.
“Our academic collaboration with AIM underscores the synergy of partnership, one that not only enriches our institutions, but also contributes to the broader academic and professional communities in tourism and hospitality,” he imparted.
Dr. Maria Cherry Lyn S. Rodolfo, member of the board of advisors at the AIM Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism, also gave a message of support. She shared that this collaboration goes beyond the usual manpower training as it invests more on both institutions’ students and faculty by enriching tourism education and combining the strengths of both Benilde and AIM.
“We will make this partnership not only logical because we actually have resources and because we have shared goals, but most importantly, because we all want to contribute to having a long-term impact in Philippine tourism,” she stated.
Reiterating the importance of case writing, Dr. Rodolfo said it plays a crucial role in bridging academic theory and real-world challenges in the tourism industry, “By developing the case studies and honing our future industry leaders, this can help in advancing a well rounded tourism education that is grounded in real-world scenarios. It is truly evidence based.”
Also present for Benilde during the signing were Vice Chancellor for Academics Angelo Marco Lacson and SHRIM Dean Dr. Marie Paz A. Castro.
Dr. Castro also offered a short address to close the momentous occasion, “The signing of this MOU is a big step forward for tourism education in the Philippines. All of us here know how the industry is very dynamic and ever changing. Through this project, I’m confident that we will create valuable resources for our students, fellow educators and industry professionals.”
A case-study writing workshop will be conducted in the future, and the publishing of a case folio for tourism and hospitality management education will also be in the works through this partnership.
SHRIM is the first and only hotel school in the Philippines to be awarded a Level IV accreditation by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities or PAASCU, and is also one of the few schools that have been conferred as a Center for Excellence in Hotel and Restaurant Management by the Commission on Higher Education.
For more information on Benilde’s undergraduate programs and Benildean student life, contact us at (63) 2 8230 5100 local 1801 or admissions@benilde.edu.ph. You may also visit our website at www.benilde.edu.ph.
