For 15 years, IH&RA’s Foundation for the Future has given over 200 students from developing countries an opportunity for hospitality education. Scholarships have been awarded at top hotel schools such as Cornell University, Ecole Hoteliere Lausanne, Hotel School the Hague and Johnson and Wales University.

In 2005, IH&RA’s Foundation for the Future launched the First "Visiting Professor Programme," providing International Education to Hospitality Professionals in Developing Countries. The pilot programme was held in Ethiopia and Professor Alexandros Paraskevas, Senior Lecturer in Operations Management, Oxford Brookes University Business School, Department of Hospitality, Leisure & Tourism Management, was sent to lead an intensive course in hospitality management for some 16 students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

"I found from the very beginning -and continue to do so - the idea great. I completely agree with the principle to give to more people the opportunity to "open their minds" to ideas and practices that would probably never have the opportunity to access themselves.

Closing, I feel that I have made some good friends back in Addis and I would certainly look forward to going back again, for this or other programmes. I believe that the Visiting Professor programme is an excellent opportunity for both organizations and academics to make a really valuable contribution to people that have great potential but were probably never be given a chance to use it. Thank you for involving my institution and me personally in this. I look forward to participating in any future programmes..."

- Alexandros Paraskevas
Senior Lecturer in Operations Management
Student Exchange Tutor
Oxford Brookes University Business School
Department of Hospitality, Leisure & Tourism Management
Headington Campus, Oxford, United Kingdom