MIAMI, Fla. - Florida International University has signed an agreement with the Tianjin University of Commerce to run a hospitality management school in China that would mirror the top-ranked Miami program. The agreement is thought to be the first on this scale between the Chinese government and a foreign university.

Joseph West, Dean of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management explained that officials of the Tianjin University of Commerce recognized the economic importance of developing a full-fledged hospitality program and approached FIU with the idea of a partnership. Now that the agreement is signed, FIU and TUC will begin recruiting and training the faculty, while the new campus facilities are built.

"A group of business professors from China will earn their Master's in Hospitality Management at FIU over the next two years and will then be hired as FIU faculty to teach at Tianjin University of Commerce starting in the fall of 2006," said Dean West. The school will have around 1,000 students.

The agreement was signed at FIU in front of a delegation of Chinese officials, including Chen Jian, Undersecretary General for General Assembly to the United Nations, Liu Yi, Minister Counselor for the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C., Hu Yeshun, the Chinese Consul General in Houston and Wang Shu Zu, Vice Chairman of Standing Committee of Tianjin People's Congress.

"I am fully confident that the cooperation between these two strong institutions will work very well in the widening of cooperation between China and the United States in the important areas of Education and Human exchange," said Undersecretary General Chen.

Wang expressed similar optimism with regard to the doors this agreement opens: "This cooperation is more than just the University of Tianjin and FIU, it is between the City of Tianjin and the State of Florida and a start up point between China and the United States."

For FIU the agreement represents the largest foreign program FIU has been involved in, including the Hospitality programs currently operating in Jamaica and Switzerland. The Tianjin campus will also be able to host exchange students and faculty from FIU.

"This opens up the classroom to a whole new set of experiences for students here and there," said Vice President for Research Thomas Breslin.

Breslin noted that the timing for the project is particularly good because China is on the verge of a tourism boon.

A report issued recently by the World Travel and Tourism Council, a private organization that represents hotel and travel companies, predicts the number of tourists and business travelers visiting China will grow 22 percent a year beginning next year through 2013.

"We are going to be the leaders in training thousands of professionals to fill the jobs that will be created by this new phenomenon," said Dean West.

Sheraton Tianjin Hotel - the 5-star hotel in town - is an oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Only minutes away from the business district, the hotel is situated on 20,000 sq.m of greenery and consists of 300 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, and 65 units of service apartments.

Thank you for choosing to stay at Sheraton, a member of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. As our guest, you are in the unique position to take advantage of the Starwood Preferred Guests? (SPG) program, the industry's leading frequent guest program built around a big idea: Instant rewards and no blackout dates, Destinations wherever you go, Everything you need for an enjoyable stay, Always consistent service and value.

Location

Just minutes from the business district. 30 minutes from the Tianjin International Airport. 25 minutes from the Railway Station. 2 hours from the city center of Beijing.

Room

300 spacious and luxurious guest rooms including Executive Floor rooms, suites, non-smoking rooms, Japanese rooms, ladies rooms and 65 elegantly appointed 2, 3, and 4 room apartments.

All comprise of: Satellite TV providing CNN, TV5, DW, NHK, HBO, KBS, CNBC, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, RAI ,and STAR TV, etc. IDD telephone; Radio; Air-conditioning; Tea/coffee making facilities; Complimentary drinking water daily; In-room safety box; Bathrobe, slippers and hairdryer; Mini Bar; Extra data line; not available in the apartments; only available in the Executive Floor rooms.

Facility

Restaurants & Bars
- Terrace Cafe : A variety of buffet and a la carte for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Panshan Grall : Continental Menu & grill specialties as well as a wide selection of wines for dinner.
- Shi Hu : Authentic Cantonese cuisine and Northern provincial specialties for lunch and dinner.
- JV's Bar : A western style cocktail lounge with nightly life entertainment, international beers, cocktails, snack menu and daily happy hour.
- Lobby Lounge : For tea, coffee, cocktails and light snacks.

Meeting Facilities
A ballroom accommodates up to 400 people for receptions and 280 people for banquets. Other hospitality and function rooms are available for meetings, conferences and private dinners. Comprehensive conference equipment is available for your needs. Whether you are hosting a party of 3 or 300, our Food & Beverage outlets, boasting the biggest wine cellar in town, and versatile conference facilities, promise to make the occasion a unique experience for you and your guests.

Business Center
We provide comprehensive secretarial services with the following equipments: Word Perfect 6.O for Windows, Chinese Star, Word 6.O, Microsoft and Lotus l23, laser printer, facsimile, business card printing, binding, photocopier, Internet and IDD/DDD telephone. We also arrange domestic and international couriers. Interpreters and simultaneous translators are available.

Recreation Facilities Our International Health Center is completed with Beauty Palour, Relax Lounge & Bar, Sauna, Steam Bath, Spa, Massage, Gym, Indoor Heated Swimming Pool, Billiard, Theater Room, Golf Simulator, Aerobic Room, Climbing Machine and two lighted outdoor tennis courts.
Bowling Center: A place to have fun with friends, featuring a pool table, a bar and a comfortable atmosphere. Brunswick bowling equipment ensures you the best quality of relaxation.

Hyatt Regency Tianjin is situated in a premier city centre location close to the Foreign Trade Bureau, museums, shops, banks and government offices, 76 miles (120 kilometres) from Beijing. The hotel is also close to Tianjin's industrial, textile and manufacturing districts. Tianjin International Airport is just a 25-minute journey, while the railway station is just five minutes away.

Hyatt Regency Tianjin's 428 well-appointed hotel guest rooms and suites are all specifically designed for comfort and convenience and feature an array of modern amenities. Hyatt Regency Club® floors offer additional luxuries to satisfy even the most discerning hotel guest.

A variety of fine hotel dining outlets are guaranteed at Hyatt Regency Tianjin and feature Oriental and international fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Room Service is available for guests wishing to dine in the comfort and privacy of their hotel rooms.

Hyatt Regency Tianjin's meeting and catering facilities offer five function rooms and one boardroom that can accommodate a variety of corporate and social gatherings at the hotel of varying capacities and layouts. A wide range of audio-visual equipment and the facilities of our Hyatt Business Centre provide support for business travellers and meeting planners.

For recreation and leisure, Hyatt Regency Tianjin's well-equipped Fitness Centre & Spa offers the perfect opportunity to loosen up and work out. Hotel parking is available. For golf enthusiasts, three golf courses are situated within a 20- to 45-minute journey by car from the hotel.

Hyatt Regency Tianjin offers 428 well-equipped guest rooms and suites which provide both comfort and superb modern facilities to make your stay truly memorable. Regency Club® floors provide guests with the ultimate in luxury and upgraded service.


The hotel offers an array of modern amenities which include individually controlled air conditioning, colour satellite TV carrying CNN, HBO, National Geographic, TNT, Internet access, piped-in music, in-room safe, 2-line telephone with high speed Internet Broadband access, international direct dial telephone, hairdryer, laundry and valet service, executive bar and refrigerator, and express check -out. Electricity 220V / 50 Hz cycles.