The Bachelor programme Hotel Management, here referred to as International Hospitality Management (IHM), at the Stenden Hotel Management School (HMS) of Stenden University of Applied Sciences (SUAS), Leeuwarden, NL, was assessed by the Accreditation Organisation of The Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). The assessment procedure took place within the framework of the Certificate for Quality in Internationalisation (CeQuInt) project. NVAO convened an assessment panel which studied the self-evaluation report and undertook a site visit at Stenden HMS, Leeuwarden, NL, on October 27/28, 2014.

By assessing the internationalisation policy of Stenden HMS against the CeQuInt Standards and Criteria the panel came to the following conclusions:

Standard 1: Intended internationalisation

The panel agreed that in its Bachelor programme IHM Stenden Hotel Management School has not only met but systematically surpassed the underlying criteria of Standard 1. The way Stenden HMS has substantiated its internationalisation goals and translated them into operational objectives and monitored action plans can be regarded as an exemplary practice. The panel therefore assessed Standard 1: Intended internationalisation as good.

Standard 2: International and intercultural learning

The panel deemed the underlying criteria of this standard to be systematically surpassed. The panel was impressed by the school’s approach of deriving (international and intercultural) learning outcomes from the national competence profile and (inter)national guidelines. The document was found to be aligned with the organizational (internationalisation) policy of Stenden HMS and with the IHM curriculum. The module guides were considered to be an excellent example for the communication of the programme goals to the stakeholders (especially to students and staff). The second very important practice was seen in the assessment and documentation of student progress during the whole study process through the application of various methods and the engagement of different internal and external professionals as assessors. The panel was convinced that these aspects can be regarded as an exemplary practice. The panel therefore assessed Standard 2: International and intercultural learning as excellent.

Standard 3: Teaching and Learning

The panel found that the curriculum is very well structured, offering all components relevant for the achievement of the programme’s intended international and intercultural competencies. The teaching methods are adequate; they get reviewed and updated in collaboration with colleagues from the International Branch Campuses. The learning environment offered to the students is an outstanding example of learning conditions; it is excellently suited for the education of students in international hotel management. All criteria of Standard 3 are systematically and substantially surpassed. The panel therefore assessed Standard 3: Teaching and Learning as excellent.

Standard 4: Staff

The panel found that the composition of the staff is appropriate for the achievement of the intended international and intercultural learning outcomes, that it has sufficient international experience, intercultural competences and language skills, and that the services provided to the staff are consistent with its composition. The recruitment guidelines, the staff development programmes and the services provided to the staff warrant the academic and professional qualifications of the teaching and support staff necessary for reaching the international and intercultural educational goals of the IHM programme. The panel deemed all of the underlying criteria of this standard to be systematically surpassed. It therefore assessed Standard 4: Staff as good.

Standard 5: Students

The panel gathered from the documentation and from the meetings with student representatives as well as with graduates that there is general appraisal for the international student body composition and for the international and intercultural experience and support provided by Stenden HMS. The panel deemed all the underlying criteria of this standard to be met and partly surpassed. Nevertheless, the panel recommended seeking ways of expanding international exposure for more students and supported the aim of achieving a more diversified student population in the future. The panel therefore assessed Standard 5: Students as good.

Conclusion

Based on documented internationalisation goals, the programme has successfully implemented effective internationalisation activities which demonstrably contribute to the quality of teaching and learning.
The panel suggests to the CeQuInt steering group of ECA to distinguish the Bachelor programme International Hospitality Management of Stenden Hospitality Management School, Leeuwarden, NL, with the Certificate for Quality in Internationalisation.