QM News 74 (pdf 1.58 MB) - Queen Margaret University

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PAGE 0 SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS - FOCUS ON HOSPITALITY QMU joins forces to launch East Lothian Hospitality and Tourism Academy Scotland’s £4.2 billion tourism industry is to benefit from a skills boost thanks to a pioneering initiative being developed by QMU in collaboration with Jewel and Esk College and East Lothian Council’s Education and Children’s Services Department. The East Lothian Hospitality and Tourism Academy will launch in September 2012 and is aimed at smoothing the transition from learning to working for young people aged 14 to 18. Hospitality and Tourism are key growth industries within East Lothian and are currently two of the most likely destinations for young people leaving school. Tourism in Scotland is estimated to grow by 4% each year according to VisitScotland and thousands of additional jobs will be created to service events such as the Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup and the second Year of Homecoming. Albert Roux OBE with award winning chef Martin Wishart The Albert Roux Dinner brings food, fashion and film together in a culinary extravaganza Following the phenomenal success of the 2011 FEAST dinner with guest of honour, the legendary Albert Roux OBE, QMU is delighted to announce that the event is, once again, set to become a highlight in the 2012 culinary calendar. This year, the Albert Roux dinner will be an even more creative, flamboyant affair with QMU demonstrating its commitment to high quality Scottish produce and service, but also combining its specialisms in fashion and film. The dinner will harness the talents of students and staff from the areas of food, hospitality and tourism; costume design and construction, and media and film. The Albert Roux Dinner will take place on Saturday 12th May 2012. More details of this unique, glamorous, showpiece event will be available soon on our website W: www.qmu.ac.uk In the meantime, if you would like to be included on the email list for further information, contact: E: swhigham@qmu.ac.uk
PAGE 0 SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS - FOCUS ON HOSPITALITY Right time, right place, right skills set Graduate Mark Docherty, Sales and Revenue Manager at Oak Hill Apartments, Edinburgh Oak Hill Apartments’ interior Mark goes from night porter to luxury apartments’ manager There is something to be said for being in the right place at the right time. However, it rarely all comes together in one successful package unless the graduate has the right skills set and a great attitude. Mark Docherty, a graduate of QMU’s International Hospitality Management degree had just the right mix of skills, commitment and ambition. However, he was also fortunate in finding a company which recognised his potential and had a structure able to support his rapid career progression. Incredibly, in less than 18 months, Mark moved from night porter in the Macdonald Hotel Holyrood to Acting General Manager for Oakhill Apartments, a group of five star luxury serviced apartments in Edinburgh. The economic downturn and constant press reports of graduate unemployment certainly don’t seem to have hindered Mark’s career progress. So, what does he put his success down to? He explained: “Firstly, I was lucky to have a degree from a university which is extremely well respected in hospitality management. There is an understanding in the hospitality and tourism industry that QMU graduates have great skills sets. I know lots of QMU graduates who are moving up the ranks very quickly, particularly in the capital. It seems to be QMU graduates who are getting the promotions. As these graduates climb the career ladder, they recruit other QMU graduates, not because there is a bias, but because there is a recognition that QMU graduates perform to the highest standards. I have already provided a placement for a QMU student who has gained invaluable experience across all departments of the Oakhill business.” Mark continued: “QMU has excellent networks across the hospitality and tourism industry and it’s extremely helpful to have this solid reputation behind your degree qualification. As students of the course, we also carried out a work placement in order to gain first-hand experience of the industry. I worked for Macdonald Hotels and gained really good experience. QMU also had collaborative links with other institutions which allowed us to build on our knowledge of the industry. It was only through QMU’s collaboration with an FE college that I was able to gain my kitchen experience. It is vital for anyone working in this industry to have a solid understanding of the kitchen operation. QMU also encouraged us to get as much practical experience as possible to back up our academic work. In my final year I was approached by Fraser Suites, located off Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. I spent five months there working as a trainee sales executive.” Of course, in order to get into a management position, having the right combination of academic and practical skills is important. Mark said: “QMU provided me with a really good grounding in marketing and strategic management and it was this which really gave me the confidence and knowledge to go for my current position as a Sales and Revenue Manager with Oakhill Apartments. QMU also had excellent modules in tourism, which were particularly useful in helping me really understand the tourism market in Scotland’s capital city where our business in based.” Mark was also in the lucky position of being in the right place at the right time, when a vacancy within the company allowed him the opportunity to act up as Sales and Revenue Manager. However, after only six weeks his talent for the role was recognised and he was offered the manager’s position on a permanent basis. Mark now looks after the sales and revenue department as well as the overall running of the property. When it comes to getting that all important job and shaping your career, what’s Mark’s advice to other graduates? He concluded: “I took the advice of my first hospitality manager. He encouraged me to always look for opportunities and to build on my skills in order to maximise my experiences.” Oak Hill Apartments’ interior Special offer for ‘QMU Friends’ Mark is offering ‘QMU Friends’ (staff, students, alumni, QMU family and friends) 10% discount on bookings at Oakhill Apartments in Edinburgh. This offer runs until the end of 2012 but is subject to availability. To book your stay contact Mark Docherty at E: mark@oakhillapartments.co.uk, or T: 0131 555 1567. W: www.oakhillapartments.co.uk
Page 1 and 2: The magazine for alumni and friends
Page 3 and 4: PAGE 0 NEWS IN BRIEF QMU is top for
Page 5 and 6: PAGE 0 What are universities for? P
Page 7: QMU partners with Edinburgh New Tow
Page 11 and 12: PAGE 11 HEALTH AND REHABILITATION E
Page 13 and 14: PAGE 13 HEALTH AND REHABILITATION L
Page 15 and 16: PAGE 15 CREATIVITY AND CULTURE In S
Page 17 and 18: PAGE 17 CREATIVITY AND CULTURE Home
Page 19 and 20: PAGE 19 COMMERCIAL FOCUS QMU - Work
Page 21 and 22: PAGE 21 RECENT STUDENT AND GRADUATE
Page 23 and 24: PAGE 23 ALUMNI PROFILE Angel Coulby
Page 25 and 26: PAGE 25 DEVELOPMENT NEWS Santander
Page 27 and 28: PAGE 27 CLASSNOTES AND EXHIBITIONS

QM News 74 (pdf 1.58 MB) - Queen Margaret University

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