Inculcate professionalism in travel

Equipped with state-of-the art facilities and in-depth hands-on training, the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering & Nutrition, Lucknow, is paving the way for young aspirants in the hospitality and tourism industry to set high standards of professionalism. Pulak Mandal, Head of Department, IHM Lucknow, elaborates on the institute’s vision for the future.

Q What are the challenges plaguing tourism and hospitality sector?
The major challenges that are plaguing this sector include lack of sustainable tourism prospects, infrastructure constraints, lack of trained human resource, coordination among civic authorities etc. In purview of the boom in the tourism sector it is obligatory on the part of the hospitality and tourism industry and associated players to provide and ensure high quality of safety, security, sanitation, hygiene, and information related to travel and tourism sector. For overall growth of this industry in India it is imperative that both private and public sector join hands to provide a common platform to cater to the emerging trends and needs of the tourists through cooperation and collaboration.

Q Please elaborate on the hands-on training provided to the students.
Our curriculum is operations oriented and hands-on training to the students is an in-built feature of the curriculum in various key disciplines such as F&B service, food production, front office, housekeeping, facility planning, maintenance engineering and food safety. During the term of mandatory industrial exposure, our students are sent to the industry to get experience and exposure in the real life environment of hotels and restaurants. The reputed national and international chains where our students get training are The Oberoi, The Taj Group, Welcome Group, Hyatt, Leela Hotels and Palaces, Starwood Hotels, AccorHotels, among others.

Q What is the USP of IHM Lucknow?
Established in 1969 as a Food Craft Institute and upgraded to an Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) in 1980, IHM Lucknow is an institute of high repute and excellence under the aegis of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Whatever be the career choice, students expect that the hospitality training they receive at IHM Lucknow will allow them to begin work in their profession as soon as they graduate. We are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and environment in terms of infrastructure and facilities, conducive for academic and professional excellence.

Q What are your plans for the future?
We are planning to adopt a newly-designed curriculum for Hotel Management and Education by National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT). The highlight of this curriculum is that it incorporates management modules specifically designed with the consultation of Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow and operation models in consultation with Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland.