Partners
Greece
Diethnes Panepisthimio Ellados
The International Hellenic University (IHU), headquartered in Thessaloniki, boasts two primary campuses within the city and additional facilities across four cities. As the country’s inaugural public university offering English-taught Study Programs, IHU comprises 6 Schools and 24 Departments, aligning with contemporary academic demands. IHU’s University Center for International Programs of Studies in Thessaloniki furthers its mission of providing English-medium higher education to both Greek and international students across all academic levels.
With over 40 laboratories and a diverse array of postgraduate study programs, including interdisciplinary options, IHU fosters collaboration with domestic and international universities and research institutions. Through strategic partnerships and cooperation agreements, IHU elevates its standing in Greek and European academia. The university’s research endeavors, underscored by national and European funding initiatives like NSRF and HORIZON 2020, underscore its commitment to innovation and academic excellence.
Portugal
Universidade nOVA De Lisboa
NOVA University of Lisbon (NOVA) is one of the two public universities in Lisbon. With more than 25,000 students, 2,700 professors and researchers, and a vibrant community representing over 110 nationalities, NOVA stands out as a dynamic and forward-looking institution. Around 20% of its students are international, benefiting from courses taught in English and a multicultural environment.
Ranked among the world’s best in the QS Top 50 Under 50, NOVA has become a benchmark for academic excellence and innovation in Portugal. Since its foundation, it has transformed higher education in the country, combining visionary academic projects with a strong commitment to research, sustainable pedagogical innovation, and lifelong learning.
Among its nine schools and institutes, the NOVA School of Science and Technology (NOVA FCT), a partner in this project, stands out as one of the three largest and most prestigious schools of Engineering and Sciences in Portugal. Located just 15 minutes from Lisbon, it is internationally recognised for the excellence of its research, the quality of its programmes, and the high employability of its graduates at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. NOVA FCT is a hub of scientific and technological innovation in Portugal.
France
Institut Lyfe: École hôtelière, restauration et arts culinaires
Institut Lyfe (Lyon for Excellence, Education, Exploration, Experience), trains committed and responsible decision-makers in the hospitality, restaurant, culinary arts and pastry professions. Over the past 30 years, it has built up a unique ecosystem of higher education, research and vocational training. It currently welcomes 1,200 students encompassing 75 nationalities. Its teaching is based on experiential learning, centred around project management, talent development, entrepreneurship and creativity. Its international strategy is built on an educational hub created with the world’s leading schools and universities, along with its network of 5,000 alumni in 90 countries.
It is the first private higher education establishment in the hospitality and restaurant sector to be recognised by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research and offers state-approved Bachelor’s degrees in international management. It is also the only school in France to have a Michelin-starred training restaurant, a 5-star hotel-school and a Research Centre whose scientific work contributes to the quality of its teaching and its forward-looking vision on careers in the hospitality industry. In 2025, its application restaurant l’Institut will become Pavyllon, a training restaurant by Yannick Alléno and Institut Lyfe LYON, offering immersive education in excellence at the heart of the city’s Place Bellecour. In 2015, Gérard and Gilles Pélisson created the Institut Lyfe Foundation, under the aegis of the Fondation de France, to support the institute in its development and implement an ambitious scholarship programme.
Thailand
Chiang Mai University
Chiang Mai University (CMU), established in 1964, is the first public university in northern Thailand and one of the country’s leading research institutions. Dedicated to academic excellence, international collaboration, and innovation across disciplines, CMU plays a vital role in advancing education, research, and sustainable development. With modern facilities and strong global partnerships, CMU provides a dynamic environment for students and researchers from around the world.
The International College of Digital Innovation (ICDI) at CMU focuses on driving innovation, financial technology, and digital entrepreneurship. Offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, ICDI blends practical skills with comprehensive knowledge of digital innovation. Its mission is to prepare graduates for successful careers in the global digital era while fostering creativity, entrepreneurship, and international collaboration.
China
Chengdu University
Chengdu University, established in 1978, stands as a pioneering institution among China’s locally funded universities post-reform and opening-up. Jointly supported by Sichuan Province and Chengdu City, it embodies a commitment to societal advancement and national revitalisation. Renowned for its ethos encapsulated in the motto “self-love, self-study, self-respect, and self-improvement,” the university champions practical education and innovation. Hosting the 31st Summer Universiade Athletes’ Village in 2023 underscored its prominence, while its Times Higher Education ranking (49–95 nationally; 801–1000 globally) reflects academic rigour. Embracing a “rooted in Chengdu, facing the world” vision, it integrates cultural preservation with modern research across disciplines like engineering, medicine, and the humanities.
Offering 72 undergraduate and 28 master’s programs across ten fields, Chengdu University boasts a robust faculty of 1,721, including esteemed academics and international scholars. With over 27,000 students, including 3,500 international enrollees, it fosters global ties through partnerships with 178 institutions, collaborative programs with the UK’s Stirling College, and innovative digital initiatives. The university’s Intelligent Universiade IoT platform, based on a digital twin concept, exemplifies its tech-driven campus evolution. This strategy reinforces its role in advancing education, internationalisation, and smart campus management, positioning Chengdu University as a hub for global talent and cutting-edge innovation.
Hong Kong SAR
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), a world-class institution with a legacy of 85 years, is renowned for its cutting-edge research and transformative education across diverse disciplines. Consistently ranked among the top 100 universities globally, PolyU excels in fostering innovation and leadership, with ranked #57 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025. As a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, the University cultivates thinkers, communicators, and innovators who drive positive change worldwide.
The School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) is a global leader in hospitality education, having dominated international rankings for decades, securing the #1 position globally in Hospitality and Tourism Management (ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2024) and #1 in Asia – Hospitality & Leisure Management (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025). At the heart of PolyU’s excellence lies its commitment to blending academic rigor with real-world impact. The SHTM pioneers innovative teaching methodologies, bridging theory and practice. Hotel ICON, PolyU’s groundbreaking teaching and research hotel opened in 2011, integrates classrooms, research labs, and operational hotel facilities under one roof, offering students hands-on training in hospitality management, event planning, and service innovation. Through initiatives like the SHTM+ICON Consultancy, the School transforms research into actionable industry solutions, partnering with global institutions to advance hospitality education and practice. By harmonizing academic excellence with industry engagement, PolyU solidifies its role as a beacon of innovation, shaping the future of education and research in Hong Kong, the nation, and beyond.
