The Board of Governors of the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Michel Rochat, currently General Director of Higher Education for the Canton of Vaud as General Director of EHL. Between 2003 and 2008 Mr. Rochat was at the head of the University of Applied Sciences Vaud, covering six specialised universities of applied sciences in the Canton, including the School of Business and Engineering Vaud (HEIG-VD) and the University of Art and Design Lausanne (ECAL), and has shown proof of superior management capacities and a strong strategic vision.

As the general director of the entire tertiary education system for the Canton de Vaud, which represents 16,600 students and 5,000 staff members, Mr. Michel Rochat brings a wide experience of both the Swiss and international academic worlds. In 2006, he was responsible for a long mission in the United States to reinforce the collaboration between the University of Applied Sciences Of Western Switzerland (HES-SO) and the Universities of California.

Mr. Michel Rochat knows EHL from the inside as he has been a member of the establishment’s Board of Governors since September 2003. Within the School, he will be responsible for continuing the implementation of the present development strategy, ensuring the institution’s international renown and managing the next stages of the campus extension.

Mr. Michel Rochat plans to take up his functions on 1 June 2010. Mr. Ruud J. Reuland has agreed to remain at his post until this time.

As the first hotel school in the world, the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) provides university studies for talented and ambitious students who are seeking top careers in the international hospitality industry. In view of this international recognition, EHL constantly broadens the scope of its three academic programmes by integrating market trends and new technologies.

Since it was founded in 1893, EHL has educated more than 25,000 hospitality industry leaders and the worldwide Alumni Network provides an invaluable asset for all the members of the EHL community. Today, there are over 1,800 students, from more than 90 different countries, enjoying the unique and enriching environment of the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne.

Cédric Focking Schneider
Communication Officer
+41 21 785 13 54
EHL