Shayan Mullick | New Delhi
Ivana Nobilo, PhD, Les Roches Executive Academic Dean, speaks on the integration of foundational education and lifelong learning and role of educational institutions in helping professionals stay adaptable and responsive to emerging trends and expectations.
1. How do you envision the integration of foundational education and lifelong learning transforming the hospitality industry?
The integration of foundational education and lifelong learning is essential for shaping a hospitality industry that is agile, resilient, and future-ready. We see foundational education as the cornerstoneinstilling service excellence, leadership, and operational expertise. However, lifelong learning is what enables professionals to remain competitive and innovative in an industry defined by rapid technological advancements, evolving guest expectations, and sustainability imperatives.
To address this, Les Roches offers Masters and Executive programs designed to keep professionals ahead of industry shifts. Through hands-on learning, industry collaborations, and exposure to emerging trends, we equip students and executives with the tools to anticipate change, embrace digital transformation, and lead with a forward-thinking mindset. Learning is not episodic; it is an ongoing journey that defines the future of hospitality leadership and excellence.
2. How can combining foundational education with lifelong learning help professionals stay adaptable and responsive to changing trends and guest expectations?
In an industry as dynamic as hospitality, adaptability is a key competitive advantage. Foundational education provides professionals with essential principles like guest experience, team management, cultural sensitivity, leadership, and operational excellence, while lifelong learning ensures they evolve with industry trends, technological advancements, and shifting guest expectations.
By integrating real-world applications, digital transformation, and sustainability-focused strategies, we equip professionals with the skills to proactively respond to change rather than simply react. Our programs emphasize critical thinking, innovation, and emotional intelligence, preparing hospitality leaders who don’t just meet expectations but anticipate and shape them.
3. What role do you believe educational institutions like Les Roches play in promoting lifelong learning in hospitality, and how can they support professionals in this endeavor?
Les Roches plays a pivotal role in shaping lifelong learning within the hospitality industry by providing professionals with continuous development opportunities at every stage of their careers. Our Masters and Executive programs are designed to upskill hospitality professionals, equipping them with the latest strategies in digital transformation, sustainability, and guest experience innovation.
By integrating real-world applications, case-based learning, and exposure to industry experts, we ensure that lifelong learning is not just a concept but a practical tool for career acceleration. Our global alumni network further strengthens this ecosystem, fostering continuous exchange of knowledge and expertise. At Les Roches, we don’t just prepare professionals for today’s challenges, we empower them to lead the future of hospitality.
4. What innovative training strategies can hospitality professionals leverage to drive sustainable growth, and how does Les Roches support these efforts?
Innovative training strategies in hospitality go beyond traditional methods, embracing experiential learning, immersive leadership development, and data-driven personalization. At Les Roches, we emphasize hands-on, industry-relevant training that equips professionals with the skills needed to drive sustainable growth in an evolving sector.
A key pillar of our approach is SPARK, our innovation hub, which plays a central role in developing cutting-edge tools and solutions for the industry. By integrating AI-powered learning systems, performance-tracking dashboards, and predictive learning models, we ensure that training is adaptive, personalized, and results-driven. Through our Masters and Executive programs, we prepare professionals to lead in areas such as digital transformation, ESG strategies, and operational excellence.
Sustainability is embedded across our programs, not just as a theme, but as a core mindset. Our expertise lies in translating global hospitality challenges into practical, measurable skills, helping professionals foster long-term profitability while making a meaningful impact.
5. How do you think emotionally intelligent training approaches can improve employee engagement, retention, and overall well-being in the hospitality industry?
Emotionally intelligent training is no longer optional, it is the foundation of exceptional hospitality. As guest expectations evolve, the ability to connect on a human level is what differentiates great hospitality leaders. Emotionally intelligent leadership fosters trust, loyalty, and long-term employee engagement, which directly impacts guest satisfaction and business success.
At Les Roches, we embed emotional intelligence across our academic programs, ensuring that future hospitality leaders develop the skills to lead with empathy, self-awareness, and cultural agility. Through our Masters and Executive programs, professionals gain practical training in leadership coaching, conflict resolution, and team dynamics, preparing them to create positive, high-performing work environments.
When employees feel valued, supported, and empowered, they don’t just stay; they thrive, innovate, and deliver exceptional guest experiences. By prioritizing emotionally intelligent leadership, we are shaping the next generation of hospitality professionals who will drive engagement, well-being, and long-term success in the industry.
