History of the School

On July 28, 1999, based on the positive resolution reached by the accreditation commission, the Czech Ministry of Education awarded state permission for the establishment of the Institute of Hospitality Management in Prague (IHM). IHM became one of the first three private universities accredited under the new laws regarding tertiary education, and began instruction in the 1999/2000 academic year.

The campus of IHM is located in Prague 8 – Bohnice, Svídnická ulice 506. The building was constructed in the 1970’s for a large-capacity elementary school. The foundation of IHM was the First Private Secondary Hotel School and College. After instruction began at IHM, the college was closed in order to concentrate on the development of the university. The extensive campus was necessary in order for the university to focus on its instruction of hotels, travel and tourism, and certain economic subjects. The building was renovated in stages (especially the spaces for professional instruction and training) and has been constantly modernized.

Before instruction began at IHM, two large, modern lecture halls were built to accommodate 100 and 200 students, and numerous traditional classrooms were reconstructed to provide amphitheater style seating and quality audio-visual technology.

Instruction began in the 1999/2000 academic year for full-time students in the Economics and Management program – major field of study: Hospitality Management.

Based on its positive results, further programs were accredited and instruction was opened:

2000/2001

• Part-time studies for bachelor’s students in Hospitality Management

2002/2003

• Full-time and part-time studies for bachelor’s students majoring in Management of Spa Services
• Full-time studies for the integrated master’s program for majors in Hospitality and Spa Management

2003/2004

• Part-time studies for the integrated master’s program for majors in Hospitality and Spa Management with a change in the program name to Hotels, Gastronomy, and Tourism

2004/2005

• Full and part-time studies for bachelor’s students majoring in Destination Management in the Travel and Tourism Industry
• Full and part-time studies for bachelor’s students majoring in Marketing Communication in Services

2006/2007

• Full-time studies for bachelor’s students majoring in Leisure Time Management
• Full-time studies for the integrated master’s program for majors in Prosperity, Risk, Audit and Crisis Management

2007/2008

• Full and part-time studies for the integrated master’s program for majors in Marketing Communication

2008/2009

• Full and part-time studies for bachelor’s students majoring in Management of Transportation Services
• Part-time studies for the integrated master’s program for majors in Prosperity, Risk, Audit and Crisis Management

2009/2010

• Full and part-time studies for the integrated master students majoring in Destination Management in the Travel and Tourism Industry
• Full-time studies for bachelor’s students in Hospitality Management in English

The program and organization of the courses are being constantly evaluated by those in the department, as well as by the academic board at IHM, experts and foreign experts in the field, and members of the partners’ club at IHM.

In the 2002/2003 academic year, IHM underwent big changes when the new credit system was applied; a number of seminars and classes in the economics and management major were added; the depth of study for the 6th semester of the bachelor’s program was increased; and new subjects were introduced in the field of economics, intercultural management, and techniques in hotel administration.

In the 2005/2006 academic year, IHM gradually began introducing the new credit system in accordance with European standards (ECTS – European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System). This system is intended to standardize terms for study programs, and facilitate study abroad and work in international companies.

Five standard languages are offered for study, of which English is mandatory. It is also possible to choose from French, German, Russian, Spanish, and if there is enough interest, other languages.

The school has built a library and study room which include a section of professional publications in English provided by the Nestle for Gastronomy Foundation. The number of computers in the study room and IT classrooms continue to increase. More than 100 computers were purchased in 2005 and then updated in 2008. Technical modernization takes place every year, as well as increases in the catering capacities of the school, the number of auditoriums, classrooms and offices for instructors. The classrooms are very well-equipped and IHM has its own online information system - EVIST.

In 2004, IHM became owner of the entire school building. The secondary hotel school works closely with IHM and fills one part of the complex which covers an area of 5,000m2. Much attention is paid to the functional quality of the building and to the ongoing aesthetic improvements to the interior.

The development of the school and the growth of possibilities and quality of instruction closely parallel the growth in the number of students, which in the 2008/2009 academic year reached 2,300. IHM has nearly reached the upper limits of its capacity, and future development will be focused on further improvements in quality. The total number of graduates has nearly reached 3,000, which is concrete proof of the increasing interest and especially success of these graduates in the ever-demanding job market.

IHM currently covers the entire spectrum of major fields of study in Gastronomy, Hospitality Management, and Tourism both for bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and full and part-time studies.

Another successful step for IHM was the opening of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, which, together with the Prague International Business School (PIBS) at the University of Economics (VSE), is accredited for awarding the title of MBA. This program is focused on the field of hotels, gastronomy, and tourism, and offers the possibility of further study not only for graduates of IHM, but for all students interested in further education in this field, who have at least a bachelor’s degree and the necessary number of years of work experience.

An integral part of IHM is the lifetime learning program for managers and employees of hotels, restaurants, and other establishments in the hospitality industry, as well as people interested in gastronomy, and the general public. There are also additional pedagogical programs for educators from secondary schools and experts in the training center.

The First Private Secondary Hotel School is part of the IHM campus and part of the network of secondary schools and colleges under the Czech Ministry of Education.