Education, research and innovation in Lausanne

In this respect, the little Swiss lady has all the makings of a great one. In the medical field, the canton’s University Hospital (CHUV) is a benchmark for the world. The capital of Vaud also boasts a number of Europe’s top universities and colleges, including the Lausanne Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), UNIL, the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) and the Lausanne University of Art and Design (ECAL). Lausanne’s young, dynamic image is undoubtedly due to its growing reputation as a university town.

Hospitality

Founded in 1893, the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) is the world’s first and oldest hotel management school. Internationally, it is the most recognised school in the industry. Since it was founded, EHL has trained more than 25,000 hospitality executives, and its courses are currently attended by nearly 3,700 students of more than 120 nationalities. In 2019, it was ranked as the best hotel management university in the world by the QS World University Ranking and Ceoworld Magazine. A number of prominent figures have studied at EHL, including Samy Vischel, CEO of Fauchon Paris, Daria Quintini, Global Brand Executive at Belmond LVMH, and Tina Wang, buzz marketing manager at Apple.

Artistic training

Lausanne’s cultural scene is constantly renewed by young talent, who have the opportunity to follow high-quality artistic studies, whatever their artistic expression:

– The Lausanne University of Art and Design (ECAL), a world-renowned centre for creativity, trains students in the field of art and design. It presents its work at fairs, exhibitions and conferences around the world, including the Centre Pompidou in Paris, Cooper Union in New York and Design Days in Dubai;

– La Manufacture, University of Performing Arts of Western Switzerland, is one of the major centres for the performing arts and crafts in French-speaking Switzerland;

– The University of Music Lausanne (HEMU) offers a university-style musical education, supported by a renowned teaching staff.

Not to mention the twenty or so schools that cater for young people keen to learn all the arts, from the renowned Lausanne Conservatoire to the school of jazz and contemporary music.

Medical engineering in Lausanne

In the biomedical field, Lausanne is home to cutting-edge research centres, particularly in cancer research.

A combination of high-calibre specialists, university training, researchers and cutting-edge establishments coexist, such as the Lausanne health cluster, which has all the assets needed to participate in highly advanced medical engineering programmes. The city also occupies a prime position at the heart of Health Valley, a region centred in the Lake Geneva area that brings together hundreds of research centres and companies in the fields of biotechnology and medical technology.

In another field, the new AGORA cancer research centre, located near CHUV, brings together more than 300 doctors, researchers and bioengineers under one roof. The building’s innovative, open architecture aims to increase exchanges between disciplines in order to find solutions to the many challenges posed by this disease.

Conferences and events

In addition, as a result of its world-class medical research in a wide range of specialities, Lausanne hosts numerous international congresses, sometimes bringing together thousands of participants. The city’s medical vocation is no stranger to this, but its success in this field depends in particular on the commitment of the doctors, professors and scientists in Lausanne contribute to the organisation of these international meetings and support their city’s bid.

Organising congresses depends on the successful interaction between a series of factors:

• The presence of research centres, professors and other renowned figures;
• Logistics ;
• Infrastructure (convention centres with sufficient capacity)
• Tourism expertise, from preparing the bid to managing accreditations and accommodation organising leisure activities for participants.

Lausanne Tourisme’s Conventions and Events Department is on hand to help guests organise their conference. For more information, visit www.lausanne-tourisme.ch/business

With its geographical location at the centre of Europe, its congress centres and its centres of excellence in the fields of sport, technology, medical research and innovation, Lausanne is definitely a recognised and sought-after business destination.