La SSSAT Bellinzona celebrated the end of the academic year with the traditional graduation ceremony, held on Saturday, June 27. The event marked the milestone achieved by students in higher education programs dedicated to the tourism, hotel, and restaurant sectors, fields that continue to represent a strategic component of the Ticino economy.
The ceremony was attended by numerous institutional authorities and representatives of the sector's main professional organizations. Among them were Roberto Cogliati, head of the Commercial and Services Training Section of the Vocational Training Division; Simone Patelli, president of Ticino Turismo; Sonja Frey, president of hotelleriesuisse Ticino; Marcel Krähenmann, president of the SSSAT supervisory commission; and Jacopo Soldini, co-director of the institute.
A school that trains hospitality professionals
The Bellinzona School of Hotel and Tourism offers higher education programs recognized by the Confederation, aimed at those who wish to assume leadership roles in the hospitality industry. The program includes courses for: SSS qualified tourism specialist e hotelier-restaurateur, SSS diploma, recently renewed in content and teaching structure.
In addition to initial training, the school also regularly organizes refresher programs for professionals already in the job market, contributing to the continuous development of the skills required by a constantly evolving sector.
Graduates of the hotel and catering course
They have obtained the diploma of hotelier-restaurateur, SSS diploma:
- Ariyaratnam Gajamugan (Viganello)
- Daiana Bacciarini (Camignolo)
- Franlui Bernasconi (Cassina d'Agno)
- Vladislav Biloshytskyi (Locarno)
- Alessandro Carlos Calzoni (Pregassona)
- Vanessa Consolazio (Castione)
- Haluka De Toni (Sigirino)
- Karim Elbarbary (Giubiasco)
- Fabio Gomes Escaleira (Lugano)
- Yelyzaveta Kravchenko (Porza)
- Alice Marchetti (Giubiasco)
- Francesco Masdea (Grancia)
- Giuditta Mencacci (Lugano)
- Annick Mercolli (Vezio)
- Alice Molone (Vezia)
- Arlette Guadalupe Oggier (Brissago)
- Lidia Giulia Pavone (Bellinzona)
- Davide Pedretti (Carabbia)
- Sophie Pinali (Mezzovico-Vira)
- Simona Rossi (Coldrerio)
- Michele Vannini (Giubiasco).
Some students have completed the academic part of the program and will graduate once they have completed the required professional experience: Fatjona Lucaj (Lugano), Tesfaye Ostini (Giubiasco), Pavle Predja (Pambio-Noranco), and Emma Rigolli (Agno).
Awards for the best results on the hotel route
The recognition for the best overall average, equal to 5.14, was assigned to Ariyaratnam GajamuganThe award, offered by hotelleriesuisse Ticino, recognizes excellence demonstrated throughout the entire course of study.
The prize for the best average in professional subjects, with a grade of 5.0, was instead attributed to Fabio Gomes EscaleiraThe award was made available by GastroTicino.
The new tourism specialists
They got the diploma of SSS qualified tourism specialist:
- Andjela Bogdanovic (Lugano)
- Irene Borghi (Sementina)
- Mary Grace Brazzale (Arizzano, Italy)
- Francesca Cantatore (Montefiore dell'Aso, Italy)
- Loris Crugnola (Tender)
- Nicole Fortunato (Losone)
- Corinna Galliani (Rancate)
- Alex Gasparetti (Ligornetto)
- Michelle Graziuso (Magliaso)
- Nicole Guarise (Pura)
- Giulia Camilla Kaori Guggiari (Magliaso)
- Sara Kren (Agno)
- Giuseppe Maraschio (Castel San Pietro)
- Jasmine Michienzi (Tender)
- Melanie Musa (Giubiasco)
- Chiara Oldelli (Meride)
- Roberto Pedrelli (Sant'Antonino)
- Anna-Mei Rezzonico (Sigirino)
- Carola Succetti (Camorino)
- Elisa Tagliabue (Bellinzona)
- Cristina Monica Vese (Laino, Italy).
Charlinne Louisette Athanase (Arbedo) and Adrian Isidor Rosenqvist (Viganello) will complete the journey with the end of their professional experience.
Awards given to tourism students
The best overall average of the entire course, 5.51, was obtained from Nicole Guarise, who received the prize offered by Monte San Salvatore SA of Lugano.
The award for the best average in professional subjects was given equally a Giulia Guggiari e Alex Gasparetti, both with an average of 5.5The award was donated by the association "I Professionisti del Viaggio," born from the experience of ATAV, the Ticino Association of Travel Agencies.
Special awards for languages and oenology
During the ceremony, some specific awards were also given.
Carola Succetti received the award offered by ESL Education for the progress made in the study of the German or English language during the educational path.
A Karim Elbarbary The TicinoWine award was instead presented to the student who distinguished himself in his oenological skills, with particular attention to knowledge of Swiss wines and, above all, Ticino products.
Training and territory
The ceremony also served as an opportunity to highlight the role of the SSSAT in training qualified professionals to work in one of the most important sectors of the canton's economy. Tourism, hospitality, and catering require increasingly complex skills, from business management to regional development, language proficiency, and service quality.
The entry of new graduates into the workforce thus contributes to strengthening a sector that continues to invest in specialized training as a key element for meeting future challenges.
