Hallam staff share innovative hotel simulation with students in Ukraine

As part of our commitment as a University of Sanctuary, and our Hallam Value of collaboration, we have been supporting Ukrainian students and academics at the Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design (KNUTD). 

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has caused significant infrastructure damage to universities in the country as well as disruption to teaching and research. 

Over 4 weeks, students from KNUTD have been able to take part in an innovative hotel and hospitality simulator led by Dr David Graham and Dr Ian Elsmore from the Department of Service Sector Management and supported by Dr Oleg Shevchenko at KNUTD. Students have been able to use HOTS (Hotel Operations Tactics and Strategy), a virtual simulation programme to help their understanding of how to manage a large hotel.

David said: “HOTS is a unique dynamic training and development experience for industry, based around a realistic computer exercise that simulates the management of a service business. Students are able to develop their knowledge of business strategy, marketing and sales, finance, operations and personnel in developing a business plan and implementing it through a series of decisions over a simulated period of five years.”

Students were able to run the simulation and make monthly decisions based on pricing, staffing, finances, customer satisfaction ratings, and even hotel food menus.

In 8 hours of running the simulation, students can experience running a hotel for approximately 2 years. This was a new and innovative way of learning for KNUTD students.

David and Ian held 4 online sessions with the cohort in total but were able to involve Sheffield Hallam students in helping run the simulations.

“The KNUTD students had work to do outside of the sessions in using the HOTS programme so we had our Hallam students from our International Hospitality Business Management and International Tourism and Hospitality Business Management courses provide online support. The students really enjoyed sharing their knowledge and it also helped to start conversations between the two universities.”

72 students from KNUTD took part in the first session and the team have received great feedback from our Ukrainian partners.

James Richardson, Director of Global Development and Partnerships said: “Sheffield Hallam has a long term commitment to KNUTD to support them during the invasion and to recover and rebuild. The teaching capability at KNUTD is severely disrupted as staff have left Kyiv seeking safety and male staff are actively engaged in supporting the military defence of Ukraine.

"The use of a virtual academic engagement has provided essential teaching for KNUTD students whilst enriching the learning experience for students at Hallam. The leadership at KNUTD are highly appreciative support we have provided and the two universities will build on this collaboration and utilise digital technologies to deliver collaborative online learning across other subject areas in the future.”