The Discipline of Tourism and Hospitality Management (DTHM), under the School of Business and Management at The University of the South Pacific (USP), has once again brought pride to the University and the region by being recognised at the 18th International Panel of Experts Forum (IPoE) 2025, held in Chiang Rai, Thailand.
For the third consecutive year, USP has achieved the prestigious International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education (THE-ICE) Etio International Student Satisfaction Global Index award, the only tourism and hospitality discipline worldwide to receive this distinction three years running.
THE ICE Etio Global Premier Ranking is a highly competitive, internationally recognised benchmark of student satisfaction in higher education. The 2025 survey captured over 76,000 responses from 148 institutions, making it one of the largest and most authoritative global assessments of student experience.
USP secured the No. 1 Global Ranking in the Recommendation parameter, highlighting the confidence, satisfaction, and endorsement expressed by its students and reinforcing the University’s commitment to high-quality, regionally relevant, and student-centred education.
Dr Vikas Gupta, Discipline Coordinator and Senior Lecturer at DTHM, who received the award on behalf of the discipline, said:
“Our students’ satisfaction is the most authentic measure of our impact. This recognition from THE ICE affirms that USP is not only preparing professionals but shaping ambassadors of Pacific hospitality and global excellence.”
Professor Gurmeet Singh, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President (Research and Innovation, Head of School of Business and Management (SBM), added:
“To be recognised three years in a row is not just a milestone – it’s a legacy of excellence.”
This accolade underscores USP’s position as a regional and global leader in tourism and hospitality education, reflecting the dedication of its academic and professional staff and the enduring trust of its international student community.
Enrolments for USP’s Tourism and Hospitality programmes for Semester 1, 2026, will open soon, inviting new students to join a globally celebrated academic community that continues to set benchmarks in tourism education.
