EU: The HSMAI Europe Student Council will support hospitality students and recent graduates in the UK and EU by connecting them with peers and hospitality brands in the region.
The Student Council aims to facilitate and support undergraduates’ professional growth during their studies, as well as during the early stages of their career.
Regular virtual, hybrid, live events and workshops will allow members of the council to harness skills required in the industry. These include, but not limited to, digital innovation, branding, and entrepreneurial mindset.
Students will have access to potential mentors from the HSMAI Europe, and will occasionally meet with peers from other hospitality business schools to share views and advice.
The initiative is set to be welcomed by many UK and European hotel business schools and universities, along with other hospitality brands. Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne has already confirmed it will support and join The Student Council.
Emile Schelfhout, who recently graduated with an MBA in international hospitality management at Hotelschool The Hague and is completing his MSc in corporate finance and banking at EDHEC Business School in Nice, has been appointed to head up and lead The Student Council.
Schelfhout said: “Since I joined HSMAI Europe in March 2020, the association has boosted my professional growth. I cannot wait to share this experience with other students. The council provides the perfect means to do so. We want to help students standout, and support them in their journey to becoming young professionals in an environment that promotes inclusivity, responsibility, and sustainability. The fact that this council operates across hospitality business schools makes it the first of its kind worldwide.”
He will work in collaboration with Ingunn Hofseth, president and CEO of HSMAI Region Europe, along with other board members. Additional council appointments will be announced closer to the launch.
Hofseth said: “We continually consult our members about how HSMAI Europe can support the industry’s growth, and how we can support and critically overcome the challenges to find the right talent. This has propelled HSMAI Europe to take action, as now more than ever it is vital we all collaborate and try to overcome the challenges of talent acquisition and retention.
“Today’s students and graduates are the lifeblood of the new hospitality economy. The Student Council will not only create a wonderful hub by facilitating networking between students and businesses, but also bridge many of the skills gaps that are required in the modern era of hospitality. This is an exciting time as we partner with many hotel business schools and universities and help their students strengthen their professional and enterprise skill set so they can stand out with their future employers.”
Further information about the HSMAI Europe Student Council can be requested at postbox@hsmai.eu.
