AGBU is proud to partner with AGBU Central Board member Vahe Gabrache to co-found the Swiss-Armenian Academy of Hospitality (SAAH) in Gyumri. Based on the world-renowned Swiss educational model, this new vocational education and training program in hospitality is developed in partnership with École hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) and is officially licensed by Vocational Education & Training (VET) by EHL. By investing in talent and education, SAAH aims to elevate service standards in Armenia and strengthen the country’s position as a competitive destination in the global hospitality landscape.
SAAH currently offers professional pathways in culinary arts, food and beverage service, and hotel administration, welcoming both newcomers and career changers aged 18 and above. Guiding them through a structured, high-quality training journey in hospitality, it offers three certification levels, culminating in a Professional Diploma achievable within 12 to 18 months.
“The launch of the Swiss-Armenian Academy of Hospitality is more than an educational milestone—it’s a statement of belief in Armenia’s potential. We are building bridges between Swiss excellence and Armenian talent, between global standards and local aspirations. Our mission is to empower young people with the mindset, skills, and discipline to not only serve but to lead in Armenia and beyond,” notes Vahe Gabrache.
Read also
AGBU Armenia President Vasken Yacoubian stresses the deep connection of this initiative with the AGBU broader mission: “AGBU is proud to be the co-founder and institutional partner of the Swiss-Armenian Academy of Hospitality in Gyumri—a project that fully reflects our mission to invest in Armenia’s human capital. Building on AGBU’s legacy of co-founding transformative institutions like AUA and forming strategic partnerships such as TUMO, this initiative will address a key need in the hospitality sector and help raise service standards nationwide.”
Adopting EHL’s program design to serve the hospitality sector by equipping learners with practical, industry-relevant skills, the Academy is housed at the Grand Hotel Gyumri by Apricot Hotels—one of Armenia’s leading hospitality destinations. This strategic partnership brings to life the Academy’s “Learning by Doing” philosophy, offering students the rare opportunity to train in a fully operational, high-standard hotel environment from day one.
“Every student who walks through our doors carries the potential to redefine what Armenian hospitality means to the world. With Swiss excellence, Armenian warmth, and a global outlook, we are ready to set a new standard for Armenia’s hospitality sector,” notes Khachik Hakobyan, general manager of the Swiss-Armenian Academy of Hospitality.
Open to talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, SAAH’s program is inclusive, offering partial and full scholarships, including to young adults demobilized from military service in 2025 and individuals displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh.
Chef Patrick Ogheard, Dean of the EHL School of Practical Arts, believes that by investing in people and professionalization, Armenia is fostering sustainable employment and inclusive regional growth. “The Swiss-Armenian Academy of Hospitality stands as a strategic pillar in this vision—bridging education with economic impact,” he concludes.
About the Partners
Swiss-Armenian Academy of Hospitality (SAAH)
Founded in 2025 by Vahe Gabrache and the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), SAAH provides world-class, practice-based hospitality education rooted in Swiss excellence and tailored to Armenia’s service and tourism sectors. www.saah-edu.com
École hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL)
EHL is a global leader in hospitality and business education with campuses in Switzerland and Singapore. Through academic excellence and hands-on training, EHL prepares versatile professionals for careers in hospitality and experience-driven industries. VET by EHL | Vocational Education & Training (VET) Licensing
Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU)
AGBU is the world’s largest Armenian non-profit organization, committed to uplifting Armenian lives through educational, cultural, humanitarian and socio-economic development programs. As co-founder and institutional partner of SAAH, AGBU continues its legacy of establishing impactful institutions in Armenia. www.agbu.org | www.agbu.am