RESILIENCE BEYOND Wow…2021 had us digging really deep! Where, we thought resilience was important - and it is - we quickly realized the importance of adaptability too. Resilience is when we respond and survive an external event and adaptability is thriving beyond the event (Mckinsey)…no longer about bouncing back but about bouncing forward. For those of us in higher education and especially in the Tourism and Hospitality space, we have realised that in our bouncing forward we have to unlock innovation and often this can be done even better when we pay attention to issues of diversity and inclusion. The past year has taught us that we must not ‘disguise’ the differences that we have - as in times of crises these show up and cause damage to teams, industries sectors. So as we move forward let us remember to acknowledge all voices and act more courageously in terms of changing systems, as we tackle some of the complex problems at hand. As STH, we are adapting and bouncing forward, which is made possible through the power of our diverse relationships with our alumni, industry partners, passionate and dedicated staff and our current cohort of students – who inmany instances are our greatest teachers. They have chosen this sector during the most challenging times, and together, we have to keep inspiring confidence in the future of tourism. Sadly, the confidence of our graduates and employees in the sector has been dented. So as I was thinking about what inspires confidence for me, the following came tomind: • Consistency, top quality product and service • Leaders and organisations that learn fromdiverse experiences and mistakes • Using the lessons learnt to continuously improve • Listening and appreciating difference • Collaborating with others (other disciplines and fields of study) • Take people along the journey of change • Celebrating our successes As the STHwe strive to inspire confidence by always innovating around teaching and learning; improving our work integrated experiences and learning; conducting research that has impact and where the findings find its way into influencing public policy. We trust that our ranking as number one in Africa, and 18th globally by the prestigious ShanghaiRankings in addition to being the sought after - School of choice- at a South African university- to study tourism and hospitality -inspires confidence about the future of the sector. Let’s all continue to bounce forward and inspire confidence. Prof Diane Abrahams, Director, STH
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