MODUL University students present study at IHIDCF

Six MODUL University Vienna students presented a brand award at the 9th International Hotel Investment & Design Club Forum (IHIDCF) which took place at Hotel Sacher on the 16^th of November.

This leading conference for hotel investors, developers and operators was organised by Frans-Jan Soede, Managing Director of Hotel Asset Management as well as two other well-known consulting firms, Reburg & Partners and Michaeler & Partner. 

At the Forum, 150 participants from 12 countries discussed the importance of hotel design and architecture as well as trends in branding and investment in the hotel industry.

For the first time this year, a prize was awarded to three new brands that correspond best to the needs of millennials. The winners were determined by six MODUL University Vienna students who conducted a study and presented it the findings at the conference. The research group included bachelor students Valerie Pretscher, Vera Tkachenko and Viktor Liu, who stated that “taking part in such a conference will be only an investment in yourself and will shape your skills and network for the future“, as well as MBA student Christoph Santin and MSc student Eleni Lampropoulou.

'’From the design process of the project to the final presentation, each moment was unique as every time I gained new knowledge. The cooperation with 6 different cultures in our group was incredible experience and positively challenging. For one more time I continue to say that we should accept opportunity that knocks our door with our eyes open,’’ said Eleni.

MU alumna Zibakhanim Hasanova also took part in the project and flew in from Baku, Azerbaijan, to hand the award to Johannes Menge who received the first prize for Hotel ZOKU Amsterdam. Radisson Red Brussels and Andaz Amsterdam received the second and third prize respectively. “I had a chance to work with an amazing team and improve skills specific to collaborative efforts” comments Zibakhanim.

“Being part of this project was not only an honor as I was allowed to represent MODUL University, but also a big chance to possibly convince hotel developers of my capability of designing research instruments in order to measure market developments. As I would highly appreciate employment within this field of action after my MBA studies, I have seen this project as that one chance I have to grasp,’’ said Christoph Santin, who was offered a job at Michaeler & Partner after the conference.

Throughout the process, the students were mentored by Martina Maly, Managing Director of Michaeler & Partner and Brigitte Gruber, CEO of Reburg & Partners.

“MODUL Career strives to bridge the gap between students and potential employers by cooperating with big players in the market” said Hani El Sharkawi, Head of MODUL Career.  In this regard, Valerie Pretscher, one of the students who presented the study says that “MODUL Career perfectly manages to provide students with possibilities to gradually get to know their future work environment and to gain as many insights as possible. Cooperations between the university and employers make meaningful projects possible, which students would otherwise hardly be able to experience”.

MODUL University is looking forward to being part of IHIDCF again next year.  The conference will take place on the 16^th November 2017 in Vienna.