The LINC+ Project at Sejong University: educating future leaders of the Korean hospitality and tourism industry

(From left) Professors Young Dae Ko (in charge of Hospitality Technology Management Track, Seul Ki Lee (Director), and Jinsoo Hwang (in charge of Smart Foodservice Management Track)

Since last year, the LINC+ Project Team at Sejong University has been focusing on training young professionals who will lead the future hospitality and tourism industry. This was made possible after Sejong University was selected as one of the LINC+ (Leaders in Industry Cooperation+) Grant recipients by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation. For Sejong University, the primary focus of the grant was to train hospitality and tourism professionals with ICT skills so that they can apply the knowledge and improve the traditional work methods.

Prof. Seul Ki Lee giving a presentation on Sejong University LINC+ Project at National Research Foundation Workshop

“At the time, hospitality and tourism industry was already expecting a major structural shift. We anticipated rather abrupt changes to knowledge and skill sets required by the industry for our students in the near future if they want to be successful after graduation”, recollects Prof. Lee, who adds “Now, the COVID19 situation has speeded up this change. We see more and more industry managers enquiring about our programs and students, the first batch of whom will be graduating March next year.”

Prof. Young Dae Ko and students of HTM Track, participating in industry practicum

Hospitality Technology Management (hereafter HTM) Track is led by Prof. Young Dae Ko, who is also the Head of Hotel and Tourism Management Department. Current hospitality industry is putting an effort to adopt brand-new technology such as IoT, service robots, and data based decision-making system. However, it is difficult to find the employee that can fully comprehend those technologies. Therefore, HTM Track aims to educate the students to accumulate the knowledge about both traditional hospitality industry and technological aspect.

Prof. Ko states, “The rapidly developing technology is no more the issue of just manufacturing industry or IT industry. Moreover, under the condition with intensified competition and uncertainty of business environment, management innovation is essential. To cope with the diversified needs of customers, data analysis and data-based decision making should be conducted. Therefore, HTM Track will educate the students that can demonstrate the convergence ability as a member of the industry”

Prof. Jinsoo Hwang training the students of SFM Track in the LINC+ Computer Lab at Sejong University

Smart Foodservice Management (hereafter SFM) Track is overseen by Prof. Jinsoo Hwang, who also serves as the Head of Foodservice Management Department. Foodservice companies in the era of the 4th industrial revolution are making various attempts to deliver valuable experiences to their customers based on ICT technologies. However, in the current situation, there is a lack of programs of ICT technologies in the department of foodservice management in South Korea, so the SFM track was established to fill this gap.
Prof. Hwang says “ In the era of the 4th industrial revolution, technology-based services such as big data, robots, and drones are expected to play a very important role in the foodservice industry. Thus, the SFM Track aims to cultivate global talents who can lead the advancement of the food service industry through knowledge of ICT-based services.”

Choi Yong-chul