History of Stenden South Africa

“It was a great privilege to be associated with the founding of a Hospitality University in South Africa.   The one experience that was both thought and life changing for me was my first visit to Stenden (then CHN) in the Netherlands. I was never a great scholar because for me I found the theory extremely difficult to follow, however as soon as I was able to see the practical side of the theory it was all so easy.   At Stenden the emphasis on the practical side of learning meant everything to me.  All the courses I saw had a practical side to them, how easy it would be for the students!   If this was the model we were to bring to South Africa I desperately wish to be part of it. Throughout my business career in the Eastern Cape and all the new ventures my team and I have brought to the Province none have been easy, however all have succeeded.   It is with pride that I was part of the original structure of Stenden South Africa and I praise my colleagues in the Netherlands for persevering with their endeavors, both financially and with effort and time to ensure that this Institution becomes one of the success stories of not only our Province but South Africa.” - Sifra Kooi, alumni of Stenden University, the Netherlands and past lecturer at Stenden South Africa

The start of Educational Institute for Service Studies (EISS)

The idea which led to the formation of the Educational Institute for Service Studies (EISS) was conceived by the Christelijke Hogeschool Nederland (CHN). The CHN University is based in the Netherlands and since its establishment in 1987 it developed an international focus. The vision was and still is to establish five to seven campuses around the world.

Mr. Klaas Speelman, Director Global Campus Sites, Mr. Bert Vroon, President of the Executive Board and Mr. Klaas-Wybo van de Hoek, Director of the CHN International Hospitality Management Institute, Mr. Douwe Tamminga, Chairman of the Board of Governors,  Mr. Joris Paulussen, IHM staff member, was the team that developed the idea and took the initiative to negotiations between the CHN and the South African business people.
In the meantime a group of South Africans considered the idea of establishing an educational facility.
Dr. Isaac Mabindisa, former administrator at University of Fort Hare SA, Mr. John Hughes, owner of the Grand Hotel and Mr. Raymond Mhlaba, first Premier of the Eastern Cape, Councilor Louise Swanepoel, Ndlambe Town Council, provided the initiative in South Africa.
Mr. John Hughes approached Mr. Adrian Gardiner (owner of the Mantis Collection of Hotel Groups and a businessman with interest in wildlife conservation and tourism industry) to take part in the developing of a hotel school.
During a hospitality conference in Berlin, Germany in 2001, delegations from the two parties met, and they discussed establishing a hospitality training institute in South Africa.
After the visit of a panel with Ms. Kurti Mennen, as chairperson from the Department of Education in January 2002, the CHN University of Port Alfred was granted provisional registration and accreditation with one of the conditions being that they could not continue with the name, CHN University Port Alfred.
After discussion the name “Educational Institute for Service Studies” (EISS) was chosen. With this name the options were open to offer other study directions as well.
In January 2003 EISS welcomed the first thirteen South African students in the Hospitality Management program.
During this year also the first Dutch students chose to do part of their studies in South Africa under the exchange program “Grand Tour®”
 
On the 10th of April 2003 EISS was officially opened by Mr. Raymond Mhlaba.
 
Due  to merger of CHN University and Drenthe University on 1st January 2008 Stenden University became the name of choice with the Swallow as the logo, from this EISS International was rebranded Stenden South Africa.