One of New Zealand’s top hotel chains has established a university scholarship programme in a move to support ambitious commerce graduates into the industry.
The partnership between Heritage Christchurch is the first of its kind for Lincoln University’s Bachelor of Commerce programme, the only commerce programme in New Zealand to offer a university-level level qualification in hotel management.
The new Heritage Hotels Scholarship Programme will begin in 2008. It will cover university fees and part-time employment at The Heritage Christchurch for the duration of the scholar’s three year degree.
Heritage Hotels hopes the programme, which it plans to extend, will establish a new crop of top-flight managers into an industry which offers opportunities for rapid advancement. “If you are looking for a career that rewards excellence, then the hotel industry is a great place to be,” says Gary Jarvis, General Manager of The Heritage Christchurch.
In New Zealand the hotel sector employs several thousand people. It is currently experiencing a significant shortage of middle and senior managers, and especially managers with formal qualifications.
Lincoln University has offered a hotel management programme since 1993 and also provides industry-specific research. Dr Anthony Brien, Senior Lecturer in Hotel Management, says the Heritage Hotels Scholarship is a significant first. “We’re experiencing strong demand for our commerce graduates with a hotel management specialisation, and this scholarship is another indication of the growth in opportunities for students. It’s a significant new scholarship which offers terrific experience and a pathway to high earnings, and we’re confident it will attract some excellent talent into the industry.”
About the Commerce Division
The Commerce Division is the largest of the four divisions at Lincoln University, accounting for around 40 per cent of total student numbers. The Commerce Division provides teaching, research and professional services in the areas of Accounting, Business Management & Law, Economics, Finance, Marketing and Property. It has an extremely active Postgraduate Programme with around 130 postgraduate students currently enrolled, including 40 PhDs. It also has an established Executive Development Programme (EDP) aimed at managers and professionals who are unable to study full-time or on-campus. The EDP includes a specialised Master of Property Studies and a Master of Professional Studies.
About Heritage Hotels
Heritage Hotels and CityLife Hotels offer luxury four star-plus hotel and apartment accommodation at nine locations throughout New Zealand. www.heritagehotels.co.nz.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Elizabeth Owens
External Relations Director
Lincoln University
Phone: 0274 290 6019
Janet Wright
Communications Manager
Ngāi Tahu
Phone: +64 3 379 9449
Mobile: 0277 1581