A new department of Entrepreneurship & Innovation was created at Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne . — Photo by EHL

The team is composed of:

Ian Millar is In charge of Student Business Projects (SBP), Marion Dulux, Student Business Project Officer, Christine Demen-Meier, Head of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Department, Frederic Delley, Head of Business Incubator and Jamil Hebali, In charge of Market Research and Methodology

The next session of SBP starts in February 2014. In this activity companies mandate groups of five EHL students to work full time for 10 weeks on a specific mission. Each group is assigned two EHL experts to coach them during their project.

Throughout the 10 weeks, the client, the coaches and the team meet regularly to discuss the progress of the work. At the end of the project, students give their clients a written report detailing the methodology, deliverables and recommendations related to the project mandate. Students also communicate these results directly to the client in a formal presentation.

Typical project areas have included development of product/service concept, marketing and sales strategy, business and financial plans to name but a few. Over 700 projects have already been completed for 32 different countries since 2001. Clients range from start-ups to well established international companies. Over 150 hospitality companies have already entrusted us with Student Business Project mandates.

One of our clients Thomas Allemann - Head of member services hotelleriesuisse says "On behalf of the Hotelstars Union, I would like to thank the EHL students, for the outstanding results and high value of their work. We got recommendations on how to emphasize the user-friendliness and accessibility of our system, as well as the students gave us great and innovative ideas about current technological trends. A beginning to take further steps during the revision process of the new criteria catalogue is made – thanks to our students from Ecole Hôtelière Lausanne."

For more information about the Student Business Projects: sbp.ehl.edu

The oldest hotel school in the world, the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) offers university-level studies to talented and ambitious students who are aiming for top careers in the international hospitality industry. Three programmes are offered:

Diploma in Hotel and Restaurant Management

Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management

Executive MBA in Hospitality Administration

EHL is accredited as an Institution of Higher Education by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC, USA). At the national level, it is recognised by the Swiss Confederation as providing university-level education in the HES (Haute Ecole Spécialisée) category. Since it was founded in 1893, EHL has educated more than 25,000 hospitality industry executives. Today, some 2,000 students from over 80 different countries enjoy the unique environment of the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne.

For further information: www.ehl.edu

Ian Millar
Professor at Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne
+41 21 785 11 74
EHL