Asian students make up a significant portion of the student population at the four hospitality schools operated by Laureate Hospitality Education (LHE): Glion Institute of Higher Education, Les Roches International School of Hotel Management, Kendall College, and Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School.
Source: LHE. From left, Hou, Tatar, Williams Knight.
Judy Hou, CEO of Glion Institute of Higher Education, noted a growing demand for LHE’s programs (offered in Switzerland, the US, and their branch campuses) throughout the region.
Hou, speaking alongside other LHE CEOs at the inaugural Women in Hospitality and Tourism in Asia conference in Singapore, emphasized the importance of Singapore and China in the hospitality industry’s global growth. Glion stands out as the only institution providing a fully accredited online Hospitality MBA. This program, designed and taught by experienced international faculty and lasting approximately 2.5 years, is recognized at the university master’s level by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and celebrated its first graduating class in December 2013.
A representative from Glion highlighted that the online classroom allows students to advance their careers without career disruption. The interactive learning environment, featuring discussions with classmates worldwide, allows immediate application of learned skills, offering significant benefits to both students and their employers compared to conventional distance learning.
Glion’s spokesperson added that the online format attracts established hospitality professionals seeking continuous development. The institution has partnered with prominent hotel groups, such as Accor, Hyatt, Rotana, Taj Hotels, Ritz, Banyan Tree, and IHG, to provide employee development opportunities.
According to a 2014 Glion report, 297 students from 70 countries are currently enrolled in their online program. The average student age is 37, with over 15 years of work experience. Notably, nearly 40% of Glion Online MBA students are from the Asia Pacific region, with another 20% from Africa and the Middle East.
Hou mentioned that Glion’s online program includes students from Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands and Sofitel, who receive strong support from their employers. The degree is expected to accelerate their careers in hospitality management.
Kendall College, located in Chicago, USA, and renowned for its hospitality and culinary arts programs, has experienced a surge in Asian student enrollment, partly due to Chicago’s vibrant culinary scene. Emily Williams Knight, President of Kendall College, shared that culinary arts students from Asia have increased by 60%, with women constituting over 80% of these new students, enriching the diversity of their academic environment.
Les Roches’ Global BBA program, popular for its international study options in China, Spain, and Switzerland, also demonstrates the global appeal of LHE institutions.
Sonia Tatar, Director General/CEO of Les Roches Worldwide, explained that international hotel companies, particularly in Asia, are looking for graduates with experience in multicultural work environments and expertise gained from different parts of the world. The Global BBA program caters to this demand, equipping students with a competitive edge.
LHE belongs to the Laureate International Universities network, comprising over 75 accredited campus-based and online institutions. This network serves more than 800,000 students across 30 countries.