No longer waiting until graduation to struggle with job hunting, hospitality students can now enter the professional workplace much earlier. Learning is no longer limited to theory; it now includes real shifts, housekeeping operations, and front desk experience.
On the morning of April 6, in Ho Chi Minh City, Marriott International held a cooperation signing ceremony with 12 educational institutions, including the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City (IUH), to develop high-quality human resources for the tourism and hospitality industry.
On the morning of April 6, in Ho Chi Minh City, Marriott International held a cooperation signing ceremony with 12 educational institutions, including the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City (IUH), to develop high-quality human resources for the tourism and hospitality industry.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Hong Hai, Rector of the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City (seated right), and Mr. Piotr Madej, President of the Vietnam Business Council of Marriott International (seated left), attended the signing ceremony.Held in a formal yet vibrant atmosphere, the event welcomed representatives from universities, colleges, and more than 100 students in Ho Chi Minh City. Representing IUH, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Hong Hai participated as the signing representative. Representing Marriott International were Mr. Piotr Madej, President of the Vietnam Business Council, and Mr. Mark van der Wielen, Area General Manager for Vietnam, together with leaders from more than 31 premium hotels and resorts nationwide.
The highlight of the ceremony was not only the symbolic handshake between industry and academia, but also a long-term commitment to jointly develop talent for the service sector, an industry facing a growing demand for high-quality personnel.
Marriott International is currently the world’s largest hotel group, operating 31 hotels, resorts, and branded residences in Vietnam. With a people-centered and sustainable development philosophy, the group has invested in training local talent for many years, viewing it as the foundation for long-term growth.
For IUH, the University aims to become one of Vietnam’s leading universities, pioneering application-oriented education, research, and technology transfer. Cooperation with major corporations such as Marriott is considered a practical step toward realizing its goal of practice-oriented training.
Under the agreement, both sides will implement a range of practical activities, including study visits, internships, and practical placements at Marriott hotels; collaboration in curriculum development; career orientation sessions and professional sharing; and expanded recruitment opportunities for students after graduation.
Notably, corporate representatives will directly participate in the training process, from supervising internships and assessing student competencies to serving on thesis defense panels and participating in professional competitions. This is considered a key difference, enabling students to access the real working environment from an early stage.
Mr. Goetz Bauer, General Manager of Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection, shared:
“Hospitality cannot be learned through theory alone. Students need to enter a real environment, do real work, and gain real experience. Only then can they pursue the profession sustainably.”
From the University’s perspective, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Hong Hai stated:
“This cooperation gives IUH students more opportunities to combine learning with practice, narrowing the gap between education and business needs.”
Immediately after the signing ceremony, the program continued with a series of practical engagement activities, including the closing of the “A Day as a Marriott Associate” program, a career discussion session with hotel general managers, and on-site recruitment interviews. Many students took the opportunity to explore a professional working environment and test themselves directly at the event.
More than just a memorandum of understanding, this event reflects the increasingly close partnership between universities and businesses. When campuses are no longer closed spaces, but gateways connected to the labor market, students will be the first to benefit.
The highlight of the ceremony was not only the symbolic handshake between industry and academia, but also a long-term commitment to jointly develop talent for the service sector, an industry facing a growing demand for high-quality personnel.
Marriott International is currently the world’s largest hotel group, operating 31 hotels, resorts, and branded residences in Vietnam. With a people-centered and sustainable development philosophy, the group has invested in training local talent for many years, viewing it as the foundation for long-term growth.
For IUH, the University aims to become one of Vietnam’s leading universities, pioneering application-oriented education, research, and technology transfer. Cooperation with major corporations such as Marriott is considered a practical step toward realizing its goal of practice-oriented training.
Under the agreement, both sides will implement a range of practical activities, including study visits, internships, and practical placements at Marriott hotels; collaboration in curriculum development; career orientation sessions and professional sharing; and expanded recruitment opportunities for students after graduation.
Notably, corporate representatives will directly participate in the training process, from supervising internships and assessing student competencies to serving on thesis defense panels and participating in professional competitions. This is considered a key difference, enabling students to access the real working environment from an early stage.
Mr. Goetz Bauer, General Manager of Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection, shared:
“Hospitality cannot be learned through theory alone. Students need to enter a real environment, do real work, and gain real experience. Only then can they pursue the profession sustainably.”
From the University’s perspective, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Hong Hai stated:
“This cooperation gives IUH students more opportunities to combine learning with practice, narrowing the gap between education and business needs.”
Immediately after the signing ceremony, the program continued with a series of practical engagement activities, including the closing of the “A Day as a Marriott Associate” program, a career discussion session with hotel general managers, and on-site recruitment interviews. Many students took the opportunity to explore a professional working environment and test themselves directly at the event.
More than just a memorandum of understanding, this event reflects the increasingly close partnership between universities and businesses. When campuses are no longer closed spaces, but gateways connected to the labor market, students will be the first to benefit.
