To celebrate M.U.S.T.’s 23rd Anniversary, Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management (FHTM) held the first lecture of “Seminars by Masters from Tourism Industry” on 31st March 2023, in D Hall. Mr. Brian Linden, the founder of the Linden Centre was invited as the guest speaker and provided an inspiring lecture entitled “Rethinking Rural Restoration Through Sustainable Tourism Development: An American’s 20 years in China”. Prof. Ben K. Goh, Dean of FHTM, Program Director Dr. Brenda Yang, Program Director Dr. Feng Yan, Program Director Dr. Wong Weng Chou and more than 250 teachers and students attended the seminar.
Guest Speaker, FHTM Teachers and Students’ Group Photo
Prof. Ben K. Goh delivered an opening speech and appreciated Mr. Brain Linden’s efforts in rural restoration, brand management and his remarkable achievements. Mr. Brain demonstrated as a role model of a successful entrepreneur for our students.
Prof. Ben K. Goh(right) presenting souvenir to Mr. Brain Linden(left)
During the speech, Mr. Brain Linden explained the reason of coming to China and introduced how he integrated the element of cultural heritage into contemporary hotel operation. Mr. Brain Linden not only stated the problems and challenges he has encountered in the branding process, but also shared how he overcome all these difficulties. At the end of Mr. Brain Linden’s speech, he encouraged students to have entrepreneurship, think broadly, keep the passion for the professional area, and explore the sustainable ways to make the profits and benefit the rural community. Every audience was highly inspired by Mr. Brain Linden’s speech.
Mr. Brian Linden Gave a Lecture
In the Q&A session, students raised many questions about hotel brand management and sustainable tourism development. Mr. Brain Linden kindly answered all the questions by sharing his personal experiences and provided the insightful perspective about the future development in this field.
FHTM Teachers and Students Interacted with Guest Speaker
Mr. Brian Linden is a Chicago native and has been working in international education projects in Asia for 15 years. Mr. Brain Linden first came to China in 1985 and founded the Linden Centre in 2008. The Linden Centre is committed to build a cultural exchange learning center, provide young people with a cross-cultural immersive experience and help them become world citizens.
