Yu-Shang Hong and Yuan-Han Kang, students of the Department of Hospitality Management, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology University, were elected representatives of Taiwan in the second phase of the National Representatives Competition," sponsored by the Workforce Development Agency, Ministry of Labor, following their win of won gold and silver medals with their brilliant performances in the 48th National Skills Competition.
【Specialized Lecturer Hong-Ru Tsai of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology (first from left) and the award-winning students Yu-Shang Hong (first from right) and Yuan-Han Kang (second right)】
The second phase of the National Representatives Competition for the 45th International Skills Competition was held from October 4 to October 6. Yu-Shang Hong and Yuan-Han Kang will represent Taiwan and go to Kazan, Russia in August 2019 to participate in the world's largest International Skills Competition for the youth, known as the Olympic Skills Competition.
【Chairperson Mei-Lan Lin (first from right) of the Department of Hospitality Management, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, the team coach Prof. Shi-Yi Huang (first from left), and the award-winning students Yu-Shang Hong (second from left) and Yuan-Han Kang (second from right).】
Mei-Lan Lin, Chair of the Department Hospitality Management, said that the department is well known both at home and abroad for nurturing students in hospitality management and catering skills, with emphasis on skills and theories in hospitality. Under the guidance of Prof. Shi-Yi Huang and Lecturer Hong-Ru Tsai, the contestants showed their exquisite skills, artistic beauty, strong will, and hard work.
The theme of the competition this year was "Russian Impression." The sugar craft of Yu-Shang Hong was based on the 16th century Russian Tsar’s Carriage. Yuan-Han Kang Kang’s sugar craft worked on the basis of the circus culture, added by Russian national flower—sunflower—and elements such as vodka, brown bears, Russian dolls, and characteristic buildings as addition to the richness of the entire scenario. The three-day competition included two large cake making and decorating, three types of mini-banquet snack making, three types of handmade chocolate making, and large-scale sugar art creation.
【Yu-Shang Hong of the Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology and her sugar craft work—a 16th century "Russian Tsar’ Carriage"】
President Deng-Maw Lu of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, said that the competition was an annual international event that attaches great importance to vocational education. It was great that they could stand out from many good competitors and represent Taiwan in the world's largest World Skills Competition. Over the past few years, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology has trained four national representatives for Taiwan in Dim Sum Production in the biennial World Skills Competition. They have been able to live up to expectations and win various awards, showing the highlights of achievements in vocational education. All these have shown the hard work and dedication of the teachers and students at Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology. In the future, Prof. Shu-Yi Huang, who has been an international referee in the World Skills Competition, will undertake the training program for national team by the Ministry of Labor, forming a national training team and conducting intensive training. It is expected that students can represent Taiwan in the world's largest international skill competition next year, once again winning the glory for our country. The teachers of the Department of Hospitality Management have been working together to develop their expertise and actively training students who are interested in the skills competition. They have never stopped exchanging ideas with international referees and training teachers from Japan, France and South Korea. They have organized various workshops for new trends and technical skills; they have also helped their students participate in domestic and international skill competitions and won various awards. In the future, STUTS will continue to train more professionals for the industry and our country.
【A sugar craft work by Yu-Shang Hong: the 16th century "Russian Tsar Carriage"】
【A hand-made chocolate work by Yu-Shang Hong: "Autumn Russia"】
【A Sugar craft work by Yuan-Han Kang of the Department of Hospitality management: "Russia Images"】