In August, DTU opened the Institute of Hospitality Training & Research and appointed Professor Lim Sang-taek as Director. Recently, Professor Lim was honored by the President of South Korea, Moon Jae-in, with an Order of Civil Merit for his outstanding contribution to South Korean education.
As part of its transition into a highly-respected, international institution, DTU has been attracting talented new lecturers from all over the world, in its mission to “cultivate people”.
Talented director from South Korea
After obtaining a Bachelor of Science from Yonsei University in South Korea, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dallas and a Doctor of Business Administration degree from the United States International University, Professor Lim gained years of experience lecturing at Dong-A University in Busan, South Korea, in the Department of International Tourism. He was also appointed Visiting Professor at Griffith University in Australia and, after that, became Director of the Dong-A University Institute of Lifelong Education and Chairman of the Busan Future of Tourism Association. Currently, Professor Lim is Chairman of the Asia Pacific Tourism Association (APTA) and a member of the Aviation Safety Committee at the South Korean Ministry of Land & Transportation.
Hero of Labor Distinguished Teacher Le Cong Co, DTU President, presents flowers to Professor Lim
In addition to his teaching, Professor Lim spends much time and energy on the research and development of tourism in South Korea and other Asia-Pacific countries. He is one of the founders of the Asia–Pacific Tourism Research & Education Association, a former board member of the Korea Tourism Organization, and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Busan Culture & Tourism Festival. For his contributions to tourism, Professor Lim also received awards from the Korea Tourism Research Society, the mayor of Busan and from APTA.
After 28 years of dedicated work in his country, Professor Lim was awarded the Order of Civil Merit by the President of South Korea. Professor Lim said: “To tell you the truth, I never thought I’d be granted this distinguished award. There are so many strict criteria involved and the government always chooses carefully from retired professors before the most outstanding are selected. The award is not granted annually, but at arbitrary times, when a candidate becomes fully qualified, so the number is strictly limited. That’s why it’s a real and valuable prize for me .”
Bringing the spirit of Park Hang-seo to DTU
Professor Lim has a passion for tourism and has much time understanding tourism in Vietnam. He discovered long ago that the seaside city of Danang has large tourism potential and many built-in assets. During the many years of partnership between Dong-A University and DTU, he researched the potential for further investment and development in hospitality training here. While attending APTA this year, which is jointly organized by APTA and DTU, he found DTU to be the ideal partner with great potential and a university where he would be able to continue his work and dedicate himself to contributing to education here.
Director Professor Lim (left) signing an agreement with Professor Kaye Chon, Director of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at Hong Kong Polytechnic University
“There’s one South Korean who conquered the hearts of millions of Vietnamese, my mentor Park Hang-seo,” Professor Lim explained. “I am one of the great many South Koreans who are very proud of the work that lead Park Hang-seo to choose Vietnam, and his paternalistic spirit throughout. He inspired me to work in Vietnam, and I particularly admire his generosity giving everything he has. He is skilled at recognizing talent and continually encourages young people to fully develop their strengths and share his respect for teamwork.
“I found a similar philosophy at DTU, where the leadership always respects talent and creativity and promotes collective spirit, in the development and growth of the DTU brand. I resolved to bring Park Hang-seo’s spirit to the DTU Institute of Hospitality Training & Research, where my colleagues and I have determined that our mission should be: ‘Together, Duy Tan Innovates V-Tourism’ . We must dedicate ourselves to the even higher goal of teaching and researching to elevate the standard of Vietnamese tourism to an even higher level, to lift the spirits of all Vietnamese and foreign visitors in the best way possible.”
(Media Center)