New Zealand’s AUT has been welcomed into an exclusive alliance with 25 other leading hospitality and culinary schools around the globe.
Institut Lyfe’s international hospitality education network, known as the Alliance, has since 2004 worked to identify and unite the best hospitality, restaurant and culinary arts management schools and universities around the world.
It allows for student exchanges, professional development, and connection to global premier food suppliers.
John Kelly, Associate Head of AUT’s School of Hospitality and Tourism told Hospitality Business AUT will be able to send students to Institut Lyfe from next semester.
“Twelve students a year can go, six each semester – including four hospitality management and two culinary arts students. We also look forward to welcoming the same number of students to AUT from Institut Lyfe.
“We hope to establish similar reciprocal agreements with other members of the Alliance. I will be heading to Thailand in late May to attend the AGM for the Alliance partners and it will be the first time an Australasian member has been represented. AUT signed the agreement to join the Alliance in February this year.
Staff Training & Teaching
“In the agreement we can also send two staff members for up to five days’ training and teaching, each semester, at Institut Lyfe, and they can also send the same to us. We expect this relationship to open research collaboration and new curriculum initiatives.”
Between semesters, AUT students will have the opportunity to enrich and fast track their learning in France at Institut Lyfe through the Alliance Summer Program. Set within two French châteaux surrounded by a green oasis, Institut Lyfe is considered the epitome of excellence in the teaching of management, hospitality, foodservice and culinary arts.
The institute boasts a four-star hotel and a Michelin-starred restaurant where students experience real-life conditions.
Institut Lyfe was formerly known as Institut Paul Bocuse. It was created by Accor Group co-founder Gérard Pélisson and the famous chef Paul Bocuse.
“As the only member of the Alliance in Australasia, AUT is a premier choice for students seeking a career in hospitality and gastronomy,” says Professor Pare Keiha, Dean of AUT’s Faculty of Culture and Society.
“The experience at Institut Lyfe is breathtaking. There is no better place for our students to see what high-end service looks like.
“Hospitality workers in France are highly respected. Working in hospitality is considered a career of high prestige and value.”
The opportunity to study at Institut Lyfe and other members of the Alliance is just one of many study abroad and exchange opportunities available to students studying in the Faculty of Culture and Society at AUT, either as part of their study or afterwards.
“AUT is the only university in New Zealand with a culinary arts programme, and we also offer food science. We are providing the world with job makers, not just job takers,” Professor Keiha says.
Student fees are unaffected by this new partnership. Students do not pay extra to attend Institut Lyfe as it is the same model as a student exchange. Students do have to pay for their travel and living expenses, although there are some scholarships available through AUT’s international office that can help subsidise this.
The Alliance Network was created in 2004 and is operated as a non-profit activity in accordance with its legal status. Its main objective is to gather the best higher education institutions and universities in the world, sharing the same educational values and the common goal to promote and develop the professions in hospitality, food service and culinary arts management.
