On May 29 (corespondent WANG Bin), Professor BAI Changhong (dean of our School) was present at one of the theme activities of the 11th China-ASEAN Tourism Education Exchange Week -- China-ASEAN Tourism Education Cooperation Forum, and delivered a keynote speech themed by “new direction for tourism education reform and innovation cooperation”.

Based on his long-term observations and practices of tourism education, Professor BAI Changhong believes that the fourth industrial revolution, standardized information communication technology, people-oriented social target and talent strategies in the new era jointly constitute the fundamental motive for the launch of new reform in higher education. The field of higher education is facing new changes, reflected in such aspects as market environment, teaching object, education mode, mechanism and contents, knowledge supply and evaluation system. Under the background of industrial revolution and education reform, tourism education should pay attention to the changes and demands in such aspects as tourism era, tourism population, tourism business forms, tourism industry chain innovation and industrial integration, against which he proposed that the cultivation of tourism talents should adhere to the concept of innovation, people orientation and integration, transform the role of teachers and innovate teaching mode and education mechanism. Through continuous exploration and attempts on education cooperation innovation, the School of Tourism and Service Management has established “3+1”/ “4+1” double degree (bachelor’s degree and master’s degree) program together with British University of Surrey, credit internship program in cooperation with American University of Central Florida and Disney World Theme Park, school-enterprise joint cultivation pattern with Hainan Airlines Group and Pacific Asia Travel Association and “launch plan for international hotel management talents” with American Hotel Association and Marriott Group. At last, Professor BAI put forward two questions to representatives presenting at the forum: how should the field of tourism education response to the “Belt and Road” Initiative? How to ensure the sustainable development of regional tourism education?