Education is central to our mission, and we're committed to shaping future hospitality leaders with a focus on sustainability.  We strive to equip our students across all disciplines with the knowledge, skills, attributes and values required to integrate responsible and ethical practices in their decision-making processes and pursue sustainable visions of the future. 

    We support access to education for all. Admission to EHL's study programs is open to all individuals, regardless of ethnicity, religion, origin, disability or gender.  The EHL Foundation for Scholarships and Honorary Loans offers financial aid to students, with 123 scholarships awarded in 2023.

    We also support lifelong learning for staff and faculty through a competency acquisition portfolio, fostering continuous development. 

    Commitments and Accomplishments

    • We measure and track the ratio of sustainability-related topics in our curriculum, and are aiming to improve the transversal integration of sustainability in our various educational programs. 
    •  We added two new sustainability-related courses in our Bachelor program and introduced a short course on our Singapore campus.  We also launched a new sustainability specialization for students at our campus in Passugg.
    • We have been participating in the Times Higher Education Impact ranking since 2021. This allows us to track our progression with SDGs, particularly focusing on SDG4, Quality Education. 

    Sustainability Mapping Project

    In the past years we have worked to evaluate our current position regarding the teaching of sustainability, identify how to integrate it further into classroom learning, and ensure it sits at the core of the student experience across all three campuses. A self-assessment survey asked course representatives how much sustainability is already integrated into their teaching.

    Ratio of BOSC5 Students choosing a sustainability-related elective

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    Do you integrate sustainability into your course unit ?

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    Sustainability-related Research

    Over the past five years, the ratio of our sustainability-related research papers has more than doubled, demonstrating our growing focus on addressing global challenges. In 2024, 37% of our published papers centered on sustainability topics, reflecting the increasing importance of sustainable development in our academic work.

    We are committed to further advancing our focus on sustainability through continued research, innovation, and collaboration—driving meaningful solutions to today’s most urgent environmental and social challenges.

    Percentage of research led by EHL professors on SDG-related topics over the years
    SDG Topic related

    Access to Education

    The EHL Foundation for Scholarships and Honorary Loans provides financial aid for talented students who need help to pursue their dreams of a hospitality education.

    Donations to the Foundation expand access to higher education, offering deserving students the opportunity to develop valuable skills, gain knowledge, and pursue international careers.

    Though HES-SO and the EHL Foundation, a new scholarship program provides full tuition coverage for ten selected Masters in Hospitality Management (MiHM) students each year.  These students have the possibility to choose a sustainability-related specialization during the program, such as the CSR & Sustainable Transformation Specialization.

     

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    Sustainability Events

    We are dedicated to engaging with our network to expand the dialogue on sustainability. Since 2019, EHL has organized its Sustainability Week, an important initiative designed to raise awareness and encourage action within our institution. This event brings together students, faculty and staff to participate in discussions, workshops and activities focused on sustainable practices.

    Numerous fun and informative activities are held for the EHL Community across all three campuses. Our Student Sustainability Committee and staff from all departments are empowered to propose and organize initiatives and events during this week. 

    Additionally, we are proud to co-host and co-organize conferences and forums such as the 17th International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN) conference, a pivotal event focused on promoting sustainability in higher education, or the annual Sustainable Investment Forum, which bridges academic theory with industry practice.

    Thanks to these initiatives, we record a steady increase in interest and participation in sustainability-related events every year.

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    Our Other Contributing Beyond Education Pillars

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    Our Social and Environmental Report

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    In 2020, EHL released its first social and environmental report, confirming the start of its journey towards sustainability by publishing a set of commitments approved by the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.  The report is now released yearly, covering the actions over the course of the previous year.

    There is still a lot to be done, but we are devoted to take on the challenges of today’s society and develop our metrics for more precise reporting from year to year, to be able to set precise objectives for positive change over the short, medium and long term.

    #sustainability

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