Meet the Faculty: Dr. Paola Ossola

Originally from Italy, Paola Ossola has lectured at César Ritz Colleges Switzerland since 2014, and currently teaches Corporate Entrepreneurship and Business Sustainability to students in the master’s program. Energetic, passionate, and full of ideas, Paola’s teaching focuses on entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation —with an emphasis on business sustainability. 

Outside of teaching, Paola volunteers with several non-profit organizations and is co-founder of the non-profit association Alzheimer’s Fest, which serves to advocate for and uphold the dignity of people living with Alzheimer’s disease. 

She holds a PhD in Business Administration, with specialization in Organizational Behavior Studies from the University of Pavia, a master's degree in Managerial Economics, and a bachelor's degree in International Management from the University of Insubria. 

We asked her a few questions to get to know her better: 

 

What do you enjoy most about being a lecturer? 

As much as I aim to inspire my students, they continuously inspire me! I love my students’ willingness to learn, no matter the challenges they might face along the way, which has helped me to grow personally and professionally over the years. 

I see teaching as a form of lifelong learning, and since I’m a naturally curious person, education and research fit well with my personality. I can spend hours with students discussing matters that are relevant to them. I also really enjoy being a part of students’ academic journeys and equipping them with the tools and theoretical frameworks to succeed in their careers.  

 

Can you tell us about Business Sustainability and why it is important? 

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword, it’s essential for our future. Our world is suffering from a number of environmental and social causes we’ve created. Businesses and leaders need to change their approach if we want to slow down the negative impact of the hospitality industry on the planet and its people. This course in Business Sustainability fits into this growing urgency to find more sustainable options and, I believe, gives students a competitive edge in the world of hospitality.  

We also need to approach business in more sustainable ways, such as investing and involving local communities better and promoting more accessibility and inclusion in tourism. This is particularly relevant as populations are aging quickly and people living with disabilities seek more tourism opportunities that accommodate their unique needs. 

What do students learn in the Business Sustainability module?  

Through my class, students learn about today’s most pressing environmental and social issues driving the demand for more sustainable practices. They also learn about sustainability principles and practices—such as the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations—as well as how to effectively evaluate and report efforts towards sustainability using tools like the B Impact Assessment and the Global Reporting Initiative. Additionally, students are given the opportunity to brainstorm their own sustainable initiatives for companies in the tourism and hospitality sectors.  

As a society, we may not be where we need to be yet, but equipping our students with this knowledge is a great start on the path to a more sustainable future for us all.

Learn more about our Master of Arts program  

The Master of Arts in Hospitality and Tourism Entrepreneurship, is a one-year degree program, offered in partnership with the University of Derby (UK), that prepares you to launch and maintain a sustainable and profitable business. It is geared towards future hospitality managers who want to learn how to explore innovative business opportunities.  

Download our free brochure for more information on our campus, course details, fees, eligibility, and application process.