Eight young hospitality professionals from China, India, Romania and the Caribbean have won places in the 2003 Summer Scholarship Programme run by the IH&RA (International Hotel & Restaurant Association) Foundation for the Future.

This year's winners – chosen from a field of 34 candidates – come from companies large and small and will follow summer courses at Cornell University, Ecole Hôtelière Lausanne, Hotelschool the Hague, and Johnson & Wales University.

According to Dries de Vaal, Chairman of the Foundation for the Future, the programme is designed to give international experience and training to outstanding young hospitality professionals who might not otherwise have the opportunity to go abroad. Scholars are between 24 and 35 years old.

"When the Selection Committee meets," he says, "we look at all the applications and ask ourselves where a Foundation for the Future scholarship could make the biggest difference in a promising career." Decision-making isn't always easy, he points out, "especially when the applicants are as strong as they were this year."

The 2003 Scholarship Selection Committee met in London on March 27th and included representatives from Ecole Hôtelière Lausanne, Hotelschool the Hague, Johnson & Wales University and the Savoy Educational Trust, along with Trustees of the Foundation.

Funding for the annual Summer Scholarship Programme comes from sponsors' donations, donations in kind by hospitality schools, and proceeds from the Silent Auction held during each IH&RA Annual Congress.

Six Continents and the Swedish Hotel & Restaurant Association have given generous donations to the Summer Scholarship Programme in 2003, and join a distinguished line of regular supporters that includes the American Express Foundation. Johnson & Wales University has awarded two places for Foundation scholars - one each in their Culinary Arts and Hospitality programmes - and the Savoy Educational Trust is providing one place each year for five years for study at a UK institution or placement in a London hotel.

The IH&RA Foundation for the Future 2003 Summer Scholarship Programme winners, in alphabetical order:

  • Ms Melissa Dow, Coconut Court Resort, Christ Church - Barbados
  • Mr Jun Peng, White Swan Hotel, Guangzhou – China
  • Mr Corneliu Posea, Bazna Spa, Sibiu – Romania
  • Mr Abhijit Saha, The Park Hotel, Bangalore – India
  • Ms Indrani Sanyal, The Park, Kolkata – India
  • Mr Zubin Songadwala, ITC Hotel Grand Maratha Sheraton, Mumbai – India
  • Ms Xuetong Wang, Qilu Hotel, Jinan – China
  • Mr Xiaoguang Yao, Hai Tian Hotel, Qingdao – China.

These scholars join more than 180 alumni who have participated in the Summer Scholarship Programme since it was founded in 1987. Each bursary is worth approximately USD $4 000, and covers tuition, fees, materials and, in most cases, accommodation.

Applications for the 2004 IH&RA Foundation for the Future Summer Scholarship Programme will be available from mid-May 2003 from Cynthia Barlow Marrs at [email protected]

The IH&RA Foundation for the Future was registered as a Swiss charity in 1987, with the active involvement of prominent individuals and organisations in the hospitality industry. The twin aims of the Foundation are to contribute to the development of education in the hotel and restaurant industry worldwide, through grants to educational institutions and scholarships for deserving young professionals, and to contribute to research within universities, colleges and other institutions by commissioning studies and market research.

Contact: Cynthia Barlow Marrs, IH&RA Foundation for the Future
P.O. Box 2643
Windsor, Berks. SL4 3ZN UNITED KINGDOM
Tel +44 (0) 776 451 4756
Fax +44 (0) 1753 672 961
email [email protected]

The International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA) is the only global business organisation representing the hospitality industry worldwide. Its members are national hotel and restaurant associations throughout the world, and international and national hotel and restaurant chains representing some 50 brands. Officially recognised by the United Nations, IH&RA monitors and lobbies all international agencies on behalf of this industry, estimated to comprise 300,000 hotels and 8 million restaurants, employ 60 million people and contribute 950 billion annually to the global economy.

Contact: Summer Jauneaud, IH&RA
51 rue Jean Jacques Rousseau
75001 Paris FRANCE
Tel +33 (0) 1 44 88 92 24
Fax +33 (0) 1 44 88 92 30
email [email protected]

Summer Jauneaud
Director of Communications
+ 33 1 4488 9224
IH&RA