Posted on Oct. 24, 2025 by Dong Quanyue|Qingdao Vocational and Technical College of Hotel Management
The kick-off ceremony for the 2025 IHG Talent Class (majoring in Hotel Management and Digital Operation) of the School of Hospitality Management was held at Crowne Plaza Qingdao Jinshui on October 23rd.
In his speech, Diao Hongbin, Secretary of the Party Committee of the school, reviewed the extraordinary journey of mutual growth and cooperation between the college and the IHG since 2013, and expressed sincere gratitude to IHG for its long-term trust and support.
He highly recognized a series of landmark achievements made by both parties in talent cultivation, curriculum development, apprenticeship pilot programs, and faculty team building, noting that these achievements are strong evidence of in-depth school-enterprise cooperation.
He emphasized that as the college celebrates its 80th anniversary, it will always adhere to the concept of industry-education integration of enterprises raise questions, schools and enterprises jointly solve them, and the market evaluates the results, continue to deepen strategic cooperation with IHG, and jointly deliver more high-quality and compound professionals to the hotel industry.
He encouraged students of the IHG Class to cherish this precious opportunity, hone their solid skills, and grow into the backbone force driving the development of the industry at an early date.
In his speech, Zhang Songsong, General Manager of IHG Shandong Region and General Manager of Jinshui Complex Hotel, extended warm congratulations on the college's 80th anniversary. He stated that the cooperation between the two parties has not only won wide recognition in the field of vocational education but also cultivated a large number of backbone talents for the hotel industry. He expressed expectation that the college and the enterprise will further expand the depth and breadth of cooperation in the future and jointly inject new impetus into promoting the high-quality development of the hotel industry. He also extended a sincere welcome to the new students and advised them to strive to become outstanding hotel professionals with an international perspective, innovative capabilities, and a sense of responsibility.
At the ceremony, Zhang Songsong and the general managers of three IHG hotels in Qingdao shared their personal career development journeys. The atmosphere was warm and pleasant, with active interaction among students who gained a lot. Later, the general managers presented commemorative badges to the students of the IHG Class, encouraging them to forge ahead and pursue excellence.
Chai Xiang, General Manager of Crowne Plaza Qingdao; Wang Hailiang, General Manager of Holiday Inn Qingdao City Center; Su Chun, Chief Wellness Officer of EVEN Hotel Qingdao Laoshan; relevant principals of the School of Hospitality Management of the college; and all students of the 2025 IHG Talent Class attended the ceremony.
