Sitting with an Alumna Interview with Samrah Alshawi, AEHL 2013

Please introduce yourself.

SA: I was born and raised in Bahrain, in the Middle East. After completing my Bachelor's degree at EHL, I went on to earn a Master's degree in international business from Birmingham Business School.

Passionate about learning and development, I’ve spent the past decade working within EHL to build our Graduate School from its early beginnings. Currently, I serve as the Head of the EHL Graduate School Office. In this role, I’m responsible for the development of the department’s key transversal functions, including marketing and communications, digital learning, and student and academic affairs.

As an EHL alumna, I’m of course proud to have received an education from such a prestigious institution. My experiences as a student at EHL have helped to shape my career, and I am grateful for the opportunities that I have had to learn and grow as a professional.

What led you to work for EHL after your studies?

SA: Truth be told, education was not an obvious career choice for me. I did not grow up thinking that I wanted to work in the education business despite the opportunities it offers. Instead, I had a vague idea that I wanted to manage a food business, largely influenced by my family of entrepreneurs. I enrolled at EHL with this vision in mind. However, I discovered that I enjoyed learning and when an opportunity arose to pursue a career in education, I took it. Very quickly, I found purpose in this industry and haven't looked back since.

Although I am still passionate about food, it has become more of a hobby. You’ll find me at a local market looking for the best ingredients, cooking extravagant meals, and traveling to taste local cuisines. Fortunately, working at EHL has allowed me to stay connected to the food industry and to be surrounded by exceptional talent in this field.

It’s been almost 10 years since your first position, and you’ve gone through 5 of them to this day. What has been the most important learning outcome you’ve had throughout these experiences?

SA: My journey with EHL over the past decade has been incredibly rewarding. Throughout this time, I have gained a comprehensive understanding of the higher education industry, starting from student and operations management, and progressing to product development, devising strategies and seeing them through in action. Of course, there have been challenges along the way, but these experiences have been the most valuable for me, teaching me resilience and the importance of reinvention. I have learned that staying relevant and effective requires a willingness to question my assumptions and actions.

Each new role has presented me with an opportunity to learn and grow, and I have embraced each one with a growth mindset: learning from failures and adapting to new circumstances and challenges as they arise.

The pandemic has shaken industries around the world. What significant change have you seen with regards to postgraduate education? Has there been a shift in demand?

SA: The demand for post-graduate and executive education is steadily increasing, as recent global events have highlighted the volatility and complexity of our world. Educators are playing a vital role in equipping individuals with the necessary tools to navigate this chaos, especially given the Brittle, Anxious, NonLinear, and Incomprehensible nature of current dynamics.

Two key shifts in learning preferences have emerged: professionals now prefer short, impactful bursts of learning that can be immediately applied to their work, and online learning has evolved from being secondary to becoming the norm and now, an expectation. However, the disruption of post-graduate education goes beyond the pandemic and the rise of EdTech. People's learning preferences are evolving, and new skills are needed to meet the demands of tomorrow. As such, educators and business schools must continually adapt and reinvent themselves.

Let’s dive deeper into EHL’s Graduate School, what is its current status/offering?

SA: The Graduate School (GS) is a dynamic and rapidly expanding business unit of the EHL Hospitality Business School. Our goal is to be a lifelong education partner for individuals and companies who believe in the transformative power of people.

Since I joined in 2013, the GS has grown significantly from offering just one program to now providing a diverse portfolio of graduate-level offerings, including degree programs, short programs, executive education, and professional training solutions. In addition to our programs, the GS is also home to several research institutes, including the Institute of Customer Experience Management, Institute of Business Creativity, Hospitality Real Estate & Finance Institute, and Institute of Nutrition R&D. We collaborate with some of the world's top business schools such as CEIBS, HEC Paris, and IMD, and partner with leading companies in the hospitality industry and beyond. We are continuously expanding and innovating our offerings, and you can learn more about our latest developments on the Graduate School's website.

What is your favorite thing about working at EHL?

SA: There are many things I love about working at EHL, it has become a home away from home so it's hard to narrow it down to just one ! But if I had to choose, I would start with the sense of purpose that drives our work. I truly believe in the value of education, especially as it relates to developing hospitality competences.

Another favorite aspect of my job is the people I get to work with - from colleagues to students, I'm constantly inspired by the diverse and talented individuals at EHL. And the values that underpin our work, particularly excellence, family, and innovation, are both relatable and personally meaningful. Lastly, I love the intellectual and entrepreneurial challenges that come with working in our Graduate School. As a relatively young business unit, we're constantly building, strategi z ing, piloting, and implementing new initiatives alongside my talented colleagues. It's an exciting and dynamic environment to work in.