Three instructors from Chengdu Electromechanical College, located in Sichuan Province in southwest China, successfully completed three months of Holland College's instructor preparation for the delivery of the Hotel and Restaurant Management program at the Tourism and Culinary Centre in Charlottetown recently. Ling Tang, Mary (Xiaolan) Wang and David (Xing) Wu will be responsible for the program when it is rolled out for the first time at Chengdu Electromechanical College in September.

Holland College's Hotel and Restaurant Management program faculty reviewed the program's curriculum, course outlines and teaching resources with the three Chinese instructors. Ms. Tang, Ms. Wang, and Mr. Wu also observed a variety of teaching strategies used in different courses.

Holland College President Brian McMillan said the visit enabled the teachers to develop a thorough understanding of the program.

"Through the observation of classes and participation in hands-on training, the teachers gained insight into the use of Competency Based Education and the college's pedagogical approach to training so that they can effectively deliver the program in China," Dr. McMillan said.

In addition to spending time with faculty and students in the classrooms of the Tourism and Culinary Centre, the Chinese instructors traveled with Holland College instructors when they conducted their on-site visitations for the students during their on-the-job training. This also enabled them to tour several hotels in the region.

Tang, Wang and Wu also spent time in the Delta Prince Edward's housekeeping and front office departments so that they could gain a better understanding of how these areas operate in North American hotels, and undertook food and beverage training in the Tourism and Culinary Centre's elegant Lucy Maud Dining Room.

Mary Wang said that she was impressed with the motivational value of the Competency Based Education process.

"It was a very good experience to study in Holland College," she said. "I focused on topics such as Introduction to Tourism and Hospitality, Organizational Behaviour, and Marketing, which enabled me to take part in various instructor's classes. Each instructor has his or her own teaching style. I think all styles were excellent."

David Wu agreed. He liked the mix of teaching methods the instructors employed.

"I've attended almost all classes concerning the food and beverage aspects of the program," he noted. "I thought that the instructors were very capable. They kept a very technical and potentially dry subject interesting by using different methods of presentation."

Ling Tang liked the students' enthusiasm both toward their studies, and during their on-the-job training.

"In class, they were well prepared for their presentations, and took their exams very seriously; during their on-the-job training they worked hard and had great enthusiasm in their work. When we asked them how they felt about their work, almost all of them answered they loved it very much. They are so proud of their profession that I believe they will have great success in their careers," she said.

The Chinese instructors had the opportunity to travel to Halifax for the Student International Business Research Symposium hosted by Dalhousie University; and attended Skills Canada PEI practice sessions and the Skills Canada PEI Restaurant Service Competition.

Holland College has participated in the Canadian College Partnership Program's Educational Joint Ventures with Chinese colleges for five years. Approximately 200 students have graduated from the Business Information Technology and Accounting Technology programs at Chengdu Electromechanical College, Wuhan Railway Professional Technological College, Changzhou Institute of Technology, and Zhenjiang College. Zhenjiang College also offers Holland College's Hotel and Restaurant Management program.

In this picture: Dr. Brian McMillan presents Certificates of Participation to CBE/Instructor Training to Tang Ling (left), Mary (Wang) Xiaolan and David (Wu) Xing.