English 
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF LEADERSHIP EDUCATION
About BVIS
Bella Vista Institute of Higher Education Switzerland (BVIS) is committed and motivated to provide learners with the skills they need to succeed in their future development. We focus our approach on learning and teaching using real-world experiences and professional practices to educate and train leadership traits. As its International Centre associated with UN Tourism Academy in Switzerland, our vision and mission will also be dedicated to providing solutions for Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance issues by bringing together education and industry. Our main goal is to elevate our students into their future roles of leadership.
MISSION STATEMENT
"EDUCATING RESPONSIBLE LEADERS TO RESHAPE THE FUTURE"
A Curriculum Designed for Tomorrow
In an era where the global economy is rapidly evolving, the need for future-ready skills has never been more critical. Drawing inspiration from the World Economic Forum’s 2023 Future of Jobs Report, a series of flexible and career-related programmes have been designed by BVIS. At BVIS, we understand that the world has changed, and so has the nature of work. Our programmes prepare future leaders for the challenges ahead, whether they aspire to entrepreneurial ventures or aim to excel in their future career. Besides leading professors, BVIS invites global heads of governments as Leadership Experts and source of inspiration for its students, exposing them to how seasoned leaders navigate and triumph over the most demanding leadership challenges at the highest levels.
PARTNERS
OUR TEAM
Dr. István Ujhelyi
President of Council
Member of the European Parliament, Vice-Chair of TRAN Committee, and member of the ENVI Committee.
MP in the Hungarian National Assembly. Former Deputy Speaker, and State-Secretary in the Prime Minister’s office.
Former Chair of the National Tourism Committee, and Permanent Ambassador of UN Tourism to EU Institutions.
Najat Vallaud Belkacem
Member of Council
A renowned public figure who served as the French Minister of National Education, Higher Education, and Research, the first woman to do so. She has also served as Minister of Women’s Rights. Currently, she is the Director of the ONE Campaign in France, focusing on global poverty and inequality.
Dr. László Andor
Member of Council
Former EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.
Secretary General of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS, Brussels).
Former member of the Board of Directors at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD, London)
Rui Zhou
Member of Council
Director of the UNWTO International Centre associated with UNWTO Academy and Special Advisor on Education to the Secretary-General. Founding Member of UNWTO online education committee. Founder of Bella Vista Group of Companies which operates hotels & resorts, and cruise ships worldwide.
Dr. Jean-Jacques de Dardel
Member of Council
Former Swiss Ambassador to China, Belgium and France.
Former Head of Mission of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and UNESCO.
President of Swiss Centre, and Sino-Swiss Cultural & Business Centre
Dr. Mario Hardy
Member of Council
The former Chairman of the PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association Foundation) and the former PATA CEO for over a decade. With extensive philanthropic project achievements and extensive experiences in leadership, corporate development with government ministers and chief executives. A strong dedication to sustainability, through tourism development. Also has been honoured with a “Global Peace Ambassador” award. The Envoy for the Sustainable Tourism Global Centre (STGC) in Saudi Arabia.
LEADERSHIP
David Hailstones
Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
In addition to his MBA from Queen Margaret University (QMU), David Hailstones is a fellow of the Institute of Hospitality in the United Kingdom. With over 15 years of management experience in the award-winning luxury hotels & resorts sector and also over 15 years in educational leadership positions in Switzerland & Europe. He has a present keen interest in global sustainable actions in the hospitality and tourism industries, healthcare and wellbeing, through his work with the UNWTO.
R. Max Behesht
Vice President & Executive Dean
The former Dean of César Ritz Colleges and Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland, and Global Engagement Ambassador of Swiss Education Group. He’s a multilingual keynote speaker and founder of R.M.B. Group, specializing in Hospitality, Customer Experience, Employee Engagement, and Leadership. Author of ‘The Servicizer™ Mindset,’ he is dedicated to enhancing Hospitality Excellence and Organizational Excellence across the world. With a dynamic career spanning education, finance, and global operations, his diverse experience positively influencesstudents worldwide. His international master-level academic journey includes Gothenburg University, Sweden, European Business School, EBS, Germany, and Kobe University, Japan.
Dr. Francesco Masetti Placci
Academic Coordinator
Dr. Masetti holds a Ph.D in Electronic Engineering and Computer Science from University of Bologna (I), a Master’s Degree in Information Technology from the Polytechnic of Milan (I) and an Executive MBA from University of Aix-Marseille (F). He has 35 years of professional experience as teacher, professor, as a school administrator and has been a corporate executive for 15 years. He has taught Statistics, Mathematics, Quantitative Analysis and Physics courses in Universities and Secondary Schools in Italy, France, USA and China and written many scholar papers about Internet technologies and innovation strategy.
Attila Benedek
Special Advisor
Attila Benedek is an experienced Policy Adviser with a history of working in the political organization industry. Skilled in European Studies, International Relations, Management, Transport and Tourism Policy Analysis, and Diplomacy. Strong finance professional with a Master’s degree focused in International Relations and National Security Studies from Corvinus University of Budapest. Leader in working on new technologies, including the electric car, energy as well as digital policy in relation to the growing challenges posed by tourism and transport.
ADMISSIONS & MARKETING
Anastasia Rachman
Director of Sales & Marketing
Anastasia Rachman holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science in Applied Business from Switzerland, and she is currently pursuing a doctorate in Business Administration in Zürich, Switzerland. With over 17 years of experience spanning the Manufacturing, Energy, and IT sectors, she has lived and worked in Indonesia, Malaysia, Austria, and Switzerland. Anastasia prioritizes education, upskilling, and cultural exchange. Dedicated to providing comprehensive information to students and their families, she facilitates well-informed decisions about enrollment at Bella Vista Institute of Higher Education. This dedication mirrors her commitment to advancing knowledge and growth within the educational sector.
Henar Acebes
Marketing Manager
Henar Acebes holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a Major in Business Development & Promotion from Hochschule Luzern. She has over 5 years of experience in Marketing & Event Management and worked for a variety of national and international scaled events. Having previously completed a Bachelor’s in the subject at Dublin Business School in Ireland, her international experience enables her to support different cultural backgrounds and creating events for the community as well as developing a strong image and brand at Bella Vista Institute of Higher Education.
GLOBAL LEADERSHIP EXPERTS
Mr. Erik Solheim
Former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Executive Director of UNEP, and Executive Chair of the OECD Development Assistance Committee
Former Norwegian Minister of Environment and International Development
Vice President of the Belt and Road Green Development Coalition in Beijing
Mr. Anton Rop
Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia
Former Member of the European Parliamant
Honorary Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB)
Dr. Alex Sceberras Trigona
Former Foreign Minister and Parliamentarian of Malta as well as Special Envoy of the Prime Minister.
Permanent Representative of Malta to the World Trade Organization Sceberras Trigona, Profile Pic
Senior Fellow and Co-founder of DiploFoundation, Geneva.
Lord Iain Mackenzie McNicol
Member of the House of Lords, England
Former General Secretary of the Labour Party
Advisor to the board of The Investing and Saving Alliance (TISA)
Mr. António Vitorino
Former Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defense of Portugal
Former Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (UN Migration)
European Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs, and Judge of the Portuguese Constitutional Court
Isabella de Monte
Lecturer
Mr. Tomáš Petříček
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic. Chief diplomat, representing the Czech Republic in international affairs and diplomacy.
Former Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Czech Republic.
Senior Fellow, Centre of Global Political Economy, Institute of International Relations, Prague, and an associated researcher at the Sciences Po Paris.
Mr. Sven Otto Litorin
Former Swedish Minister for Employment, and President of the EU Council of Ministers
Former Secretary General of the Swedish Moderate Party.
Chair of White Pearl Technology Group, Raytelligence AB, and Vice Chair of AB Igrene.
Dr. Janez Potočnik
Former European Commissioner for Environment and Science and Research
Co-Chair of the International Resource Panel, hosted by UNEP.
Award-Winning Contributions to Sustainability: 2013 United Nations’ Champions of the Earth Award, and Hans-Carl-Von-Carlowitz Award in 2015 for pioneering work in circular economy.
Industry LectureRs
Csilla Mezősi
Lecturer
Ms Csilla Mezősi is the Secretary-General of the European Spas Association (ESPA). She has over 20 years of experience of tourism management in a variety of countries. Lecturer for a diverse number of universities across Europe. She is highly experienced in project management in the field of healthcare tourism across key markets. Strategic development & hotel investments from a city-level to national-government supported projects.
Urs Pilz
LecturerMr Urs Pilz is the Vice-President of the International Circus Festival in Monte Carlo & named President of the European Circus Association (E.C.A) and President of World Circus Association. These Organizations aim the promotion of the Art and Culture of the Circus in Europe and all over the world. As Chief adviser of Circus Krone in Munich and later in the Committee of the Festival International du Cirque de Monte Carlo, at first, as Coordinator of the Jury and personal Adviser of Prince Rainier III for matter of Circus, Mr. Pilz had a key role to have Circus art and culture well-rec
Tony Zahra
Lecturer
Former EU Mandate of the European Economic Social Council and Senior Vice President of the Federation of Industries. Current Council Member of the Malta Chamber of Commerce and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, where he holds the position of President of the Association. Founder Mediterranean Tourism Foundation which was established to bring together representatives from all Mediterranean countries to promote and lobby joint actions in favour of Mediterranean Tourism.
Nikos Mertzanidis
Lecturer
Director, European Government Affairs at Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in Brussels. He develops, presents, negotiates, and implements European industry positions on legislative, regulatory, and policy matters involving taxation, port & destination, public health, crew and visa issues. Secretary to the CLIA Europe Port & Destination Advisory Committee and the Taxation, Labour Affairs and Public Health Working Groups. Previously, he had been working as junior political adviser in the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the European Parliament.
