The Savoy Educational Trust awards £750,000 grant to Thames Valley University

The Savoy Educational Trust has awarded a £750,000 grant to Thames Valley University to build a brand new state-of-the-art teaching and learning centre.

'The Savoy Educational Trust Leadership Development Suite' will provide a first-class learning environment for hospitality graduates from the London School of Hospitality to compete at a global level.

The grant, the largest ever awarded by the Trust, aims to cater for hospitality students doing MBAs, postgraduate diplomas, MAs and professional diplomas at the University's West London campus in Ealing. The suite will include a 75-seat lecture theatre and fully equipped conferencing room as well as a performance area and library.

The Trustees of the Savoy Educational Trust said: "This is a very exciting project and one that will make a huge difference to both our industry and Thames Valley University. 

"The new learning facility will create a platform for hospitality students to compete and learn on a global scale adding huge benefits to our industry when the graduates enter the workplace. The launch of the new centre will coincide with the Trust's 50th anniversary year, which is a great way for us to mark this milestone."

Professor David Foskett, associate dean and head of the school of hospitality and tourism, said: "Our school has enjoyed an enviable reputation as an innovative and high quality provider of education in hospitality management, culinary arts, tourism and events management for over 60 years.

"Despite our reputation, we urgently needed to modernise aspects of the school to meet students' needs but we didn't have the funds to do so.  Winning this grant from the Savoy Educational Trust has made our future aim of cementing our reputation on the global stage a reality, and will also enable us to continue building upon our historic achievements for generations to come."

The Trustees consider applications four times a year in March, June / July, September and December. There are no restrictions on geographical location as long as the application supports the aims of the Savoy Educational Trust.

Words: Maria Bracken

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