The School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (SHTM), formerly the Department of Institutional Management, was founded in 1958. A name change in 1990 to the Department of Hospitality and Food Science reflected a new focus and an enlarged scope in the Department’s response to emerging national and regional training needs. As a result of the University’s restructuring and renewed focus, the Department, in 1995, became the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. In an effort to respond to the demands of the Hospitality and Tourism industry, many changes have been made to existing programmes and new programmes have been developed.

Lillian’s, the training restaurant for the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, was officially opened on November 4, 1992. The restaurant, which is a training facility for the students of the Food Service Management programme is also run as a commercial entity with a small staff. This fine dining restaurant is open to the public for lunch on weekdays and for special occasions in the evening and on weekends. It also caters for functions on and off the campus, so we encourage you to remember Lillian’s when you’re planning your special event!

 The final year Culinary Arts, Food and Beverage and Food Service Management students are required to stage an International Cuisine Dinner Series as a capstone course to demonstrate their ability to plan and manage a fine dining restaurant.  The series, which features the cuisine of different nations or geographic regions, usually runs for 10 weeks in each semester and is very well received.

 The School of Hospitality and Tourism Management offers full-time and part-time  programmes in a variety of hospitality and tourism related disciplines. Currently, the School offers the following Degree programmes, all of which are accredited by the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ). The Bachelors of Science Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management (offered jointly with the University of the West Indies, Mona) and the Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Service Management. The school also offers certificates in Baking Technology, General Catering, Pastry Making and Events Planning and Management. 

Our programmes are designed to meet the needs of school leavers desiring further education in Hospitality and Tourism Management as well as working adults seeking training and certification.

In addition to classroom/theory education, the school has an  Internship programme where our students are placed in hospitality establishments each year. The area of Work Integrated Learning (Cooperative Education) and Internship in SHTM is one of the strongest in the University, with approximately 300 students placed each summer, locally and internationally. This gives the students the vital hands-on experience necessary to add value to their degree upon graduation.  

The School of Hospitality and Tourism Management is one of two schools in the Faculty of Business and Management.