In November, a group of International School of Lausanne students took part in an enriching and immersive visit to the Nestlé Health Science Research and Development Centre in Lausanne. Organised through the ISL Impact Hub and led by Mr Marco Bruce, Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the experience was designed to help students explore the intersection of science, innovation, and industry practice.
The day offered a rare opportunity to step inside an active research environment, meet professionals across multiple scientific and innovation fields, and understand how ideas evolve from concept to real-world impact.
This visit forms part of the ISL Impact Hub’s mission to broaden learning beyond the classroom by connecting students with organisations at the forefront of innovation. Before the visit, Mr Bruce emphasised that the goal was to “immerse students in the journey from scientific discovery to commercial innovation.” These experiences help students see how the analytical and creative skills they develop at ISL translate into real professional contexts.
Students from science, business, and design pathways chose to participate on a voluntary basis, bringing together a diverse group with varied academic interests and ambitions. As Year 11 students Raphael, Axel, and Elias expressed early on, they were eager to discover how a company as large and diverse as Nestlé brings new ideas to life and how professionals collaborate to solve global challenges.
Upon arrival at the Nestlé Health Science R&D campus, students were warmly welcomed by Prof. Christophe Hartmann, Senior Expert and Head of Academic Alliances & Expertise Development at Nestlé Research, and Ms Louiza Sbahi from Nestlé R&D Lausanne. The visit began with an introduction to the centre’s mission and an outline of how research, innovation, and product development come together to create solutions that support health and well-being.
From there, students embarked on a guided journey through several research areas:
Nestlé researchers from different departments generously shared their expertise, offering insights into the scientific processes, interdisciplinary teamwork, and strategic thinking that shape their work. For many students, this connection between research and tangible impact stood out immediately. Year 12 student Tanushree noted, “Professionals here are dealing with real-world problems, and they explained everything with passion and clarity. Seeing how a global company works in reality was very inspiring.”
From Nestlé’s perspective, welcoming students into the research environment is about far more than showcasing scientific facilities. Ms Maria Eugenia Barcos, Startup Programme Lead at Nestlé Research, explained that innovation is a dynamic and deeply collaborative journey, shaped by diverse skills, perspectives, and ways of thinking. Beyond the science itself, students were encouraged to see that progress is rarely linear and that curiosity, resilience, and openness to different viewpoints are essential drivers of meaningful innovation.
Nestlé’s research and innovation efforts are guided by a commitment to better nutrition and responsible business practices through its Creating Shared Value (CSV) approach. By opening its doors to students, the team also hopes to spark interest in the food sector as a vital and future-facing industry, while challenging the idea that a first career choice defines an entire professional path. Flexibility, adaptability, and lifelong learning, Ms Barcos noted, are central to navigating an evolving world of work.
The experience sparked a wide range of reactions and reflections. For Elliot (Year 11), simply stepping into a professional research environment was powerful: “It felt like entering a space where real innovation happens.”
As the visit unfolded, students began to reflect not only on what they were seeing, but on how it challenged their existing perceptions of a global organisation like Nestlé. Isabella (Year 12) shared that she had always associated the company with consumer products like coffee, but the visit revealed “how broad and well-rounded their work really is,” particularly in areas like sustainability and health science.
Several students were captivated by the culinary and formulation aspects of the visit. Maxim (Year 12) shared that he found the food development session particularly striking, appreciating the way ingredients are shaped to balance taste, texture, and consumer experience.
Another student, Max (Year 12), highlighted two moments that stood out for him: the opportunity to have lunch with Christoph Hartmann and the presentation on emerging packaging technologies. He emphasised that packaging remains “one of the main challenges we face now,” and seeing concrete innovations underway was especially inspiring.
Roman (Year 12) was inspired by the complexity of product development, explaining that understanding the full journey from early experimentation to market readiness helped him appreciate the depth of collaboration behind each outcome.
Students interested in health sciences found the clinical research sessions especially meaningful. Alexander (Year 12), who hopes to pursue a medical career, described learning about clinical trials and nutritional data analysis as the moment that “inspired him the most,” offering clarity about a field he hopes to enter.
For Jade (Year 12), discovering the range of scientific disciplines represented at Nestlé opened new possibilities: learning about the clinical research side “made [her] think about new avenues” for her future studies.
A reflective perspective came again from Tanushree, who emphasised the company’s commitment to sustainability. She noted the genuine enthusiasm of the researchers and how encouraging it was to see “innovation and responsibility go hand in hand.”
Across the group, one theme emerged clearly: the visit helped students understand how their learning at ISL connects to authentic professional contexts. Vanda (Year 12) made this connection immediately when she recognised polymer science from her biology lessons in the materials and product development discussions she encountered onsite.
Louisa (Year 12) appreciated gaining a holistic view of how different departments contribute to a shared purpose. “Learning a little about each area helped me get an overall picture of how everything works together,” she explained.
Meanwhile, Cecilia (Year 12) captured the essence of purposeful innovation: “To create something new, you really need to understand both the science and the client.”
Finally, Anna (Year 12) reflected on the importance of transferable skills such as communication and leadership, noting how the project management session highlighted their role within scientific and interdisciplinary teams.
By the end of the visit, students used words such as “innovative,” “educational,” and “eye-opening” to describe the experience, reflecting a deeper appreciation of the diverse pathways open to them.
ISL extends its sincere appreciation to the Nestlé Health Science R&D team, especially Ms Maria Eugenia Barcos and Ms Louiza Sbahi, and Mr Christophe Hartmann for their enthusiasm, expertise, and generous welcome. The experience provided our students with invaluable insight into the world of scientific innovation and its transformative potential.
As part of the broader mission of the ISL Impact Hub, opportunities such as this visit help students understand the full arc of innovation: from scientific research and ideation to collaboration, sustainability, and societal impact. They also reinforce ISL’s commitment to preparing students to become thoughtful, adaptable, and courageous contributors to the future.
From Nestlé’s perspective, hosting students is a two-way exchange. While researchers share their processes and expertise, students bring fresh questions and perspectives that challenge assumptions and spark new ways of thinking. This openness to dialogue and learning beyond organisational boundaries is central to Nestlé’s culture of innovation and reflects the importance of collaboration across ecosystems.
For students, the visit offered valuable insight into the skills and mindsets shaping the next generation of innovators. Alongside strong foundations in science, business, and technology, qualities such as curiosity, critical thinking, adaptability, and communication emerged as essential. Equally important were the human dimensions of innovation: empathy, cultural understanding, and the courage to question established ideas.
The visit to Nestlé Health Science R&D stands as a powerful example of what meaningful learning looks like when students are given the opportunity to step beyond the classroom and engage directly with professionals shaping the future of health, science, and innovation. Through hands-on exposure, thoughtful dialogue, and genuine curiosity, ISL students were able to connect their academic learning with real-world challenges and possibilities. ISL extends once again its sincere gratitude to the Nestlé team for opening their doors and for helping inspire the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and leaders.
© Photo credit: Mélody Spoerri