The hospitality industry has been providing services and facilities, resulting in the growth of the industry. Prof Irfan Mirza, director, V M Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality Education talks about how the institution prepares students for a dynamic career globally
Hospitality being a key segment of the total travel and tourism industry, and Goa being a sought after tourist destination, there was an urgent need for quality institution in the state which can produce graduates capable of taking mid-level managerial positions having exposure to latest trends and practices in the hospitality industry, states Proffessor Irfan Mirza, director, VM Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality Education (VMSIIHE). The institution offers a three year degree course – BSc in International Hospitality Management. The curriculum at VMSIIHE is designed to equip students with practical training and necessary skills with special attention to personality development, professional attitude and leadership qualities which are essential to compete globally. The courses offered are food production, food and beverage service, front office operations, accommodation operations and management studies and also includes six months of professional internship in reputed starred hotels. Besides, supporting subjects like communication skills, accounting and budgeting, economics and French is also introduced to complement the education model which aims at preparing students for a dynamic career globally.
“The institution is equipped to deliver knowledge cum practical oriented course structure, enabling students to pursue their career opportunity in India or abroad, and cater to the job requirements in the hospitality industry,” he adds. Mirza says that the course curriculum provides a challenging learning experience that will help students to develop a critical, analytical and evaluative approach to hospitality management. “The curriculum also includes all elements necessary to become a successful international professional. Our students learn and practice core skills in leadership, time management, teamwork, motivation, customer service, finance, marketing, human resources and cultural awareness,” he adds.
The institution also invites industry leaders and experts to deliver guest lectures and conduct practical oriented demonstrations in culinary services. As part of the curriculum, students have to undergo professional internship of 22 weeks at operational level in service or in rooms division.
Imparting knowledge
When asked about the frequency of syllabus change to match industry standards, Mirza replies, “The entire course curriculum is industry driven. The programme maximises learning experience and offers the skills and confidence needed for future success. For employability, students will have to keep abreast of the emerging trends in operational areas in the hospitality sector. The syllabus will be re-visited every three years and appropriate changes will be introduced to ensure that the students have acquired the knowledge and skills required in the hospitality industry.” With the promoters being associated with Marriott International, students would be trained at Marriott Hotels to acquire skills.
Elaborating on the teaching pattern, he points out that students begin with a solid grounding in fundamentals of hospitality service, followed by courses in managerial competencies for skills, specialisations and advanced management skills. “The course is designed to produce graduates with all the necessary technical, operational and management skills to meet the demand of the international hospitality industry. Education is planned to enable students learn and practice the core skills identified by the hospitality industry as essential for career success globally.”
Growth view
As per Mirza, the hospitality industry is a dynamic and booming industry, growing at an exponential rate with a huge demand for trained professionals. The organisational chart and volume of job positions and hierarchy varies by hotel size, function, and is often determined by hotel ownership and managing companies. Therefore there are ample of job opportunities for students who wish to graduate from a reputed institute.