In recognition of its 40th anniversary, and to honor the legacy of its founder, the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Sandals Resorts International (SRI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The University of the West Indies (The UWI) and Florida International University’s (FIU) Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, to create the Gordon “Butch” Stewart International School of Hospitality & Tourism.
Expected to be a cutting-edge, research-led facility, the Gordon “Butch” Stewart International School of Hospitality & Tourism will provide students with an immersive, holistic world-class learning and training experience by marrying the academic excellence synonymous with The UWI and FIU with the groundbreaking innovation and world-leading hospitality standards that have come to trademark the Sandals brand.
Through innovative technology, and by leveraging the universities’ powerful network and reach across the Caribbean and internationally, regional and international students will benefit from high-quality academic tutelage and practical experience in a range of hospitality and tourism programs.
The Gordon “Butch” Stewart International School of Hospitality & Tourism will not only offer a number of existing programs, including the bachelor’s in tourism management and the doctorate in tourism/hospitality but will also offer newly developed programs such as the bachelor’s in hospitality operations, the bachelor’s in attractions and events management and master’s programs in hospitality management and events management from FIU.
The partnership embraces the core objectives of increasing access to globally ranked education, improving alignment with critical and influential industry needs and aspirations, demonstrating agility and responsiveness to the challenges of tourism and hospitality education and practice and delivering focused academic leadership and quality assurance processes, consistent with the universities’ respective policies, standards and procedures.
The institution, touted as the 21st century symbol of the ideal relationship between the private sector, academia and civil society, is poised to become the flagship center of hospitality and tourism in the region and will also focus on providing meaningful learning experiences for students outside the classroom.
The new school will be built at the Western Jamaica Campus of The UWI, Mona, in Montego Bay, the birthplace of the Sandals brand.
Adam Stewart, SRI executive chairman, speaking on the significance of the partnership, said creating opportunity through education is fundamental to the organization and to the successful future of the Caribbean, as it is to all people seeking a better life for themselves and their families.
“This conviction, so deeply held by my father, was fostered by experience and in long conversations, begun so many years ago with the great professor, Sir Hilary Beckles,” said Stewart. “This partnership is so deeply meaningful and the work ahead extremely vital. Sandals has proven that what is born of this region can successfully compete against any brand on an international stage. Now, together with powerhouses The UWI and my alma mater FIU – two world-leading academic institutions, we embark upon building the world’s premier institute for tourism, the Caribbean’s economic engine. This is truly, a dream come true.”
Stewart said his father believed in learning by experience – and on-the-job training, as he often put it.
“As a consummate entrepreneur and a lifelong dreamer, he knew success was born beyond the boardroom, found instead in moments of exploration and discovery. It is this understanding that will inspire the world-class curriculum, putting students in real-world experiences as part of their development.”
Stewart also spoke of the transformative power of tourism for Caribbean economies.
“Tourism is the single most powerful industry across the Caribbean and its ability to connect with and impact wider industries and subsequently Caribbean economies is often under-appreciated. This partnership and this school [are] an obvious investment in the education of Caribbean people, but beyond that, it is also an investment in Caribbean tourism and the many other critical industries that we support. This investment will go a far way towards mapping the pathway for the survival of the region. Hundreds of thousands of Caribbean nationals depend on tourism – whether directly or indirectly. This school is an investment in our young people, in the future of the Caribbean and represents our understanding of the critical role of tourism in the future of the region.”
Sir Hilary, vice-chancellor, The UWI, speaking on the collaboration and its implication for regional development, said, “Tourism is the number one business in the Caribbean and The UWI is its number one university. FIU has been a respected partner to Caribbean people and institutions for decades and, in particular, counts many distinguished Jamaicans among its graduates and professors. It follows, therefore, that the three of us should collaborate to ensure our individual and collective oneness. The Sandals brand and its product are excellent and exquisite. The UWI is honored to work with Adam Stewart, its leader, to celebrate the respected legacy of his father, the brilliant Gordon “Butch” Stewart. The idea of building up a first-class tourism and hospitality school within The UWI to honor this legend is at once exciting and energizing. The UWI-Sandals-FIU engagement is, therefore, a powerful and progressive partnership that will serve our region very well in the years ahead.”
His sentiments were shared by President of FIU Dr. Mark B. Rosenberg.
“We are proud to partner with Sandals Resorts International and The University of West Indies, two highly respected institutions in the Caribbean, and both leaders in the hospitality industry. At FIU, we already welcome international students from the Caribbean from 20 different countries. Offering even more students the opportunity to study, learn and live in two hospitality destinations learning and working from iconic leading institutions and brands like Sandals, UWI and FIU, is historic. We also need to acknowledge SRI Executive Chairman Adam Stewart, BS ’03, who has followed in his father’s footsteps in business, leadership and generosity. This partnership will create a perfect avenue for students looking to advance their hospitality education in two of the top tourist destinations in the world, resulting in a new generation of hospitality leaders,” said Rosenberg.
Stewart said his dad spent much of his life pioneering and building the regional tourism industry, and that he could see no better way to celebrate his legacy than by working with The UWI and FIU to ensure the sustainable development of the region’s tourism through training and investment in young talent.
“I know this project would have made him so happy and we cannot wait to cut the ribbon and officially welcome our first cohort of students,” said Stewart.
FIU is a Top 50 public university that drives real talent and innovation in Miami and globally. High research activity and high social mobility come together at FIU to uplift and accelerate learner success in a global city by focusing on the areas of environment, health, innovation, and justice. Today, FIU has two campuses and multiple centers.
FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management is a Top 10 hospitality school among US Public Universities and ranked 35th in the world. More than 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students from across the nation and around the globe choose FIU for its outstanding reputation, advantageous campus locations in Miami, expert faculty, rich curriculum and real career opportunities in the international hotel, foodservice, beverage management, travel, tourism, revenue management, entertainment, and mega and large-scale event industries.
The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the center of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region.
From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with near 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Open Campus, and 10 global centers in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.
The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in culture, creative and performing arts, food and agriculture, engineering, humanities and education, law, medical sciences, science and technology, social sciences, and sport.
The post Sandals Resorts International, The University of the West Indies and Florida International University partner to create The Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart International School of Hospitality and Tourism appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.
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