Rami Mhanna visits Russia as part of the Santander Travel Grant

Posted . Filed under News, Research, Student Experience.

Last year we bought you the story of Rami Mhanna receiving a Santander Scholarship. Below he shares his experiences of travelling to Russia as part of his grant:

As part of Santander Travel Grant, I am visiting Russia in order to do a research about Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.

I started by visiting Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO University), which is one of the Santander Universities. I also visited the Russian International Olympic University in Moscow RIOU, where I met Professor Nicolay Peshin. And then, I did an interview at Sochi 2014 Committee in Moscow.

In Krasnodar Region where Sochi is located my research focused on the planning and preparation for Sochi 2014 as well as the perceptions of Sport and Tourism legacy. I met some of the key decision makers such as the Deputy Ministers of Sport, and Deputy Minister of Tourism for Krasnodar Region. During my stay in Krasnodar, I visited Kuban State University for Physical Education Sport and Tourism; I met the Vice Rector of Research and the head of Sochi 2014 volunteers centre. The Kuban University welcomed me and BU and they thanked me for doing research about Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.

I moved then to Sochi city and I stayed 4 days, where I visited Sochi City Administration. I interviewed the Deputy Mayor of Sochi, the Deputy Head of the department for Sport and the Deputy Head of the Department for Tourism.

My visit to Russia was successful at all levels, and it will enrich my experience and my research skills.

I would like to thank Santander and BU and my great supervisors: Professor Adam Blake and Dr. Ian Jones for their support.

Dorothy Fox shadows officials at the Edinburgh Marathon in preparation for Bournemouth’s first Marathon

Posted . Filed under News, Student Experience.

On 6th October 2013 Bournemouth will host its first ever Marathon Festival run by GSI events. The course includes some of the most stunning views in Bournemouth & Poole as well as both piers as part of the 26.2 miles route. Bournemouth University will be managing two of the 6 sectors.

School of Tourism lecturer, Dorothy Fox, will be part of the senior race crew during the marathon.  As part of their training, they all attended the Edinburgh Marathon to shadow their counterparts.

Dorothy is leading the baggage team during the Bournemouth Marathon with members of Bournemouth Lifeguard Corps and Bournemouth School  Combined Cadet  Force.

Dorothy commented “The scouts who handled all the bags in Edinburgh were all very well organised group of volunteers and the trip was really useful.  I look forward to being involved in the Bournemouth’s first marathon”

For more information on the run and to register please see here http://www.run-bmf.com/

Sport students reflect on overseas activity and participation in international management game in The Netherlands

Posted . Filed under News, Research, Student Experience.


In April 2013 Dr Tim Breitbarth, senior lecturer in sport management, visited BU’s new Erasmus partner Hanzehogeschool Groningen. Led by a local colleague, he also contributed to organise and run an intensive international student management game in further cooperation with colleagues from Coventry University and German Sport University. Overall, 140 students from 10 countries participated in the 5-day event.

After a very competitive application process, Shrehan Lynch (final year sports development), Andrew Imms (final year sports management), Oliver Fulljames and Jack Mogridge (both third year sports management) were accepted as the first set of BU students to attend this sports management game.

For more information please read this blog article

All four students were wonderful representatives of BU and their reflections collected weeks after the activity demonstrate the high value of international experience as part of learning and growing at university.

 

Oliver Fulljames, Jack Mogridge and Shrehan Lynch comment on the Groningen trip in particular and international opportunities in general

Oliver Fulljames

I would highly recommend that students from Bournemouth utilise the international opportunities on offer

“The Sport Management Game 2013 is an event that I feel I benefitted from both professionally and personally. The event focuses on teamwork within a multicultural setting, challenging each individual to overcome cultural barriers, along with allowing time to socialise with your peers over the week.

I now understand the cultural intricacies needed in order to work effectively with those from other countries with those whose English may not be of the highest standard. Not everything ran smoothly, initially it was very difficult when delegating tasks to others, despite this, it was a valuable learning curve and communication improved as the week progressed.

Friends made on the trip have already made plans to visit in London, whilst the favour will also be returned when visiting Germany and Netherlands. Many people worked at high profile sport organisations throughout Europe, which may provide me a point of call when I graduate and begin searching for jobs around Europe.

Overall, I believe that the Sports Management Game will not only add a valuable experience to my CV, but also provide me knowledge that I can put to use within the workplace and when back at university. I would highly recommend that students from Bournemouth utilise the international opportunities on offer.”

 

Jack Mogridge

Someone who hasn’t travelled a great deal, I was enjoying the experiences of this trip

“I can honestly say that the 5 days in Groningen easily exceeded my expectations. Highlights have been networking with like-minded individuals and making friends with the other international students either through work or social evening engagements. Having never worked in this type of environment I have attained skills which I can take into my final year at Bournemouth, the team I am working with on my placement and future employment. Someone who hasn’t travelled a great deal, I was enjoying the experiences of this trip, soaking up the wonderful culture that the Netherlands has to offer.

We began each day with an academic lecture at 8.30 before beginning group work at 10. Most days would be split up by one morning and one afternoon task which allowed enough time to produce a thorough piece of work. From HR to Marketing to Operations we covered all aspects of running a mega sporting event through engaging group activities such as: promotional videos, academic posters and a question time like set up to name a few.

Having only communicated through the medium of technology in the past, especially throughout my placement, meeting face to face was a different experience. Within this team in order to work most effectively we faced barriers to overcome. Communication was the most obvious of these, which proved difficult when two of the Dutch students spoke little English however once we overcome this and leaders in the group were distinguished productivity increased. Although difficult at times this was one of the reasons I applied for this opportunity and therefor I felt I needed to embrace it. My English skills proved valuable in the group and I soon took the role of leader, this gave me chance to interact with all the members on a personal level which proved very fulfilling.

I would like to thank Bournemouth University and especially Tim Breitbarth for the support throughout and in planning, preparation and communication throughout to offer such a wonderful opportunity.”

 

Shrehan Lynch

This experience taught me mainly about myself, I feel I show attributes of managing people well, using initiative and taking on responsibility of a high level

“After being part of the Groningen trip I must thank the University for giving me the experience. I learnt a great deal about myself on this trip and was able to appreciate an alternative culture.

Holland is a phenomenal country; the residents are friendly, relaxed and welcoming to visitors. The Hanze University itself had facilities to be in awe of and quite abstract building infrastructures that made it one of the most unusual universities I have been to.

The Sports Management Game allowed me to work in a group of mixed languages and cultures and I was able to take a team leader role as the only native speaker. This experience taught me mainly about myself, I feel I show attributes of managing people well, using initiative and taking on responsibility of a high level. I was able to lead this team into third place at the management game which I feel was a real achievement considering the barriers we faced as a team regarding language and prior academic learning.

On the whole this experience showed me that each culture learn differently within their universities and take different approaches individually to the learning process. Also, I learnt that I am a hardworking individual that can work with people from across the globe effectively to achieve results.“

 

BU scholars intensifying links to German Sport University Cologne

Posted . Filed under News, Research, Student Experience.

 

Dr Tim Breitbarth and Dr Andrew Adams, both senior lecturers in sport management, visited the elite sport university as part of on-going teaching and research collaboration.

Besides teaching extensively on various international Masters and undergraduate programmes and advising PhD researchers, collaborative work with the Institute of Sport Economics and Sport Management and the Institute of Sport Sociology were intensified and links into the Institute of European Sport Development and Leisure Studies were developed.

For example, Dr Breitbarth collaborates with Dr Stefan Walzel, senior lecturer in sport management and marketing, on an international project on corporate social responsibility in sports, which was recently awarded a prestigious 15,000 pounds research grand from UEFA. Amongst other, the partners also co-convene a special track at the 2013 European Association for Sport Management conference and co-edit a special issue on the topic. Dr Adams discussed EU project bid plans with German colleagues and discussed experiences with setting-up and managing international projects.

“Obviously, German Sport University Cologne is a unique place gathering internationally highly regarded researchers from all scientific disciplines, who work and teach in top-notch facilities. It is good to see two of our own students, Jake Stokoe and Jonathan Roberts, benefiting from this high-quality quality learning environment in the next academic year, when we start the reciprocal student exchange,” says Dr Breitbarth, who has helped the BU sports group to develop new and more international opportunities for staff and students.

As part of his guest lectures, he also promoted BU Masters programmes and the Bachelor (Hons) Sport Management Golf in particular, since the latter is one of only a very few programmes on the European tertiary educational landscape specialising on the sport that shows significant growth rates in most countries.

Richard Gordon presents at 3rd Fire Safety and Technology Forum

Posted . Filed under News, Research.

Back in May, Richard Gordon MBE was a key note speaker at the 3rd Fire Safety and Technology Forum.

Richard is currently Director of the International Disaster Management Centre at Bournemouth University.

The purpose of the event was to provide high-quality education, technology and networking opportunities for fire safety and other related responsibilities.

Last month Richard trained members of Bangladesh’s armed forces, civil administrators and development partners on disaster management.

For more information on the Disaster Management courses offered by Bournemouth University please see here

 

School of Tourism Highlights at next week’s Festival of Learning

Posted . Filed under News, Research.

Next week, Bournemouth University will be hosting the Festival of Learning across its different campus’.

Over the two weeks the Festival is on, there will be over 100 events to choose from. Many of the events are free and are delivered by BU staff keen to share their enthusiasm and experience with you.

Highlights offered from the School of Tourism include:

Don’t eat poo and die, eat poo and live: An investigation into the things that we eat and the things that we don’t

Designing the Ideal Menu

A Family Kitchen Safari Event

Social Media for the Terrified

eTourism Innovations in the Digital Era

This is only a small glimpse of the variety of the events held during the festival! To view the full programme please see here

With so much on offer, this is one Festival not to miss this summer.

For more information on the festival and to book any events please see here

 

“Don’t eat poo and die, eat poo and live: An investigation into the things that we eat and the things that we don’t” event as part of the Festival of Learning

Posted . Filed under News, Research.

As part of the Festival of Learning, Sean Beer will be hosting an event titled “Don’t eat poo and die, eat poo and live: An investigation into the things that we eat and the things that we don’t”.

This free event takes place on Wednesday 5th June from 7pm -9pm on the Talbot Campus.

This illustrated lecture will investigate the diversity of things that people eat in different cultures and circumstances from around the world.

It will challenge you to look more closely at the nature of the food and drink that you choose to consume and that which you don’t.

Discussion will be backed up with tastings of some commonly eaten and some uncommonly eaten foods – if you dare.

This event is open to anyone.

For more information on this event and to register for the Festival of Learning please see here

 

Designing the Ideal Menu event as part of the Festival of Learning

Posted . Filed under News.

On Thursday 6th June from 10am – 2.30pm, Susan Horner will be hosting “Design the Perfect Menu” on the Talbot Campus

This free event is aimed at young people as well as the general public and aims to show you how to design the ideal menu based on its nutritional values.

As well as this, you will also get the chance to listen to talks about the importance of nutrition and planning the right menu.

There will be a free lunch provided for all and the best menu designed on the day will win a prize.

This event will take place in Bournemouth University’s brand new Food Labs and will be a great experience for young people or professionals from the hospitality industry.

For more information and to book a place please see here

UN World Tourism Organisation discusses technology & social media as tool for competitive tourism at conference

Posted . Filed under News, Research.

Bournemouth University Professor Dimitrios Buhalis chaired the conference and advised countries on how to use social media and technology to boost tourist trade

Technology and social media are becoming critically important tools for successful international tourism.

This has been recognised by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation and the Minister of Tourism in Costa Rica, who organised a Technical Seminar on Tourism and New Technologies.

Delegates came from 22 countries – including Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and the Bahamas – and the conference discussed how tourism has been influenced by the latest technological breakthroughs, as well as the opportunities that lie ahead.

Professor Dimitrios Buhalis, Director of the e-Tourism Lab at Bournemouth University (BU), chaired the seminar, which took place in Costa Rica.

A tourism marketing expert who specialises in e-tourism and technology, he chaired panels looking at the internet, social media and mobile marketing in relation to tourism.

He also trained delegates – who included 12 tourism ministers – on how to use technology and social media to increase the competitiveness of their tourism industry.

Professor Buhalis said: “It is gratifying that increasingly the international tourism industry and governments from around the world, as well as the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, recognise how technology can support the competitiveness of the tourism destinations and organisations.

“Cutting edge research and solutions we develop at Bournemouth University provide technological tools such as social media, augmented reality and gaming to enable organisations to dynamically engage with consumers and facilitate co-creation of products and value in the marketplace.”

Professor Buhalis added that social media is reversing tourism marketing strategies, with consumers becoming advocates and ambassadors for products around the world.

He believes that mobile technologies can make interaction between organisations and consumers dynamic and agile – revolutionising engagement and economic benefits.

“Only those organisations that are able and willing to use these tools in an agile will be able to develop their competitiveness in the future and generate prosperity for their stakeholders,” he said.

“I am glad that Latin American countries are committed to develop their knowledge through our expertise, and innovate in order to maximise their benefits.”

Other speakers at the seminar included executives from Google, Trip Advisor and Expedia Latin America.

The seminar took place in San Jose, Costa Rica on May 14 and 15.

 

INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY ACADEMY AT SEA

Posted . Filed under Research.

 

May 4 – 11 2013, Croatia

 Professor Adele Ladkin was invited to participate in the 8th International Tourism and Hospitality Academy at Sea (ITHAS), a week long sea voyage incorporating academic lectures and site visits based on the theme of Special Interest Tourism.

Founded in 2005 and held in 2013 for the eighth time, ITHAS 2013 was hosted by the Faculty of Economics & Business of the University of Zagreb. 108 people participated in the study voyage from four participating universities.  These were the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Economics and Business, Croatia; Munich University of Applied Sciences, Department of Tourism, Germany; Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences, School of Tourism and Services Management, Finland; and University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Economics, Slovenia. The programme was expertly put together by the founder of ITHAS, Professor Nevenka Čavlek from the University of Zagreb, with the boats provided by the tour operator I.D. Riva Tours.

The purpose of ITHAS is diverse.  It gives students the opportunity to undertake site study visits to experience first hand the operational aspects of tourism, students benefit from academic lectures from international tourism experts, and the bringing together of the different universities on the boats allows for cultural exchange and practice in working with diverse cultural groups.

The 108 participants sailed on four boats, with each day typically involving lectures during the sailing times, with site excursions on foot and by bus when each destination was reached.  Destinations included Makarska, Ploče, The Island of Brač, Vodice and Zadar in Croatia, and Medugorje Pilgrimage Site and Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The students from each university also gave presentations of their home universities and a review of tourism in their respective countries.

The voyage ended in Zadar on May 11th, in time to join with the International conference ‘Myths of Tourism’ organised jointly by the University of Zadar and the University of Zagreb.

Professor Ladkin said “This was a fantastic opportunity for the students.  We had a packed schedule with many different activities and learning experiences.  We all agreed it was an extremely worthwhile trip.  The weather was also kind to us, with calm Seas!”

During the voyage, Professors Ladkin and Čavlek undertook a pilot study for their forthcoming research on experiences of maritime entrepreneurs in tourism being undertaken in collaboration with I.D.Riva Tours.