Why Mahindra University's School Of Hospitality Management Is Rethinking Hospitality Education In India

People imagine when they consider "hospitality education" that they're thinking of hotel employees, restaurant employees, and front office staff. These are still good career routes but the industry today is much wider than many think. Hospitality meets technology, entrepreneurship, tourism, aviation, luxury retail, events, wellness and consumer experiences. However, a lot of hospitality programs still rely on the old school method.

That's not the case at Mahindra University's School of Hospitality Management (SoHM) in Hyderabad. It is a first-of-its-kind interdisciplinary hospitality school that brings together hospitality education and business, technology, design and entrepreneurship, reflective of the realities of the modern industry.

The original concept that launched it all.The concept that began it all.

The primary principle of the school is that hospitality education needs to keep up with the times. Dr Yajulu Medury, Vice Chancellor of Mahindra University, had envisioned a school that does not teach hospitality alone, but with business, technology, design and entrepreneurship.

Hospitality is one of the most people and culture-oriented industries in the world, and it demands empathy, creativity and knowledge of humanity and cultures; our students need to be prepared for not only jobs but also for leadership and innovation in an international setting.

This philosophy is reflected in all aspects of curriculum planning and involvement in industry. Creating a brand-new hospitality experience. Going against the grain of the hospitality playbook. The academic framework is being designed by Dr (Chef) K. Thiru, one of the most esteemed hospitality educators of India, and Founding Dean of SoHM.

The programme is not just about operational skills but also about the wider environment that is the driving force of the hospitality industry. The culinary courses are complemented with management theory, business knowledge and industry experience, providing a well-rounded education. The goal is not just to train the graduates to perform the duties of a job, but to enable them to acquire knowledge on how a hospitality business is built, managed and transformed.

Real-life learning environments

The School of Hospitality Management is more like a business environment than a regular school. The standout is the individual modular kitchen setup of one of the schools. Each student has their own work station with facilities that are at a high professional standard and enable them to practice independently and gain experience on their own equipment.

Pupils also practice in a unique Galley Kitchen which is based on the small, efficient kitchens found in aircraft, cruise ships and large-scale catering. The arrangement enables students to gain valuable experience in precision and speed with coordination in a real-world environment.

Show Kitchen is a learning hub for students to engage with the industry and visiting chefs. The Culinary Salon is a component of this, which restores a fine dining atmosphere and trains students in how to serve and engage guests.

Specialist learning areas like the Chocolate Studio and the professional Bakery further enrich the learning potential, giving students the opportunity to learn about specialist areas that are not always offered within a hospitality programme.

Things are quite different in the third year

Students start foundation-level topics and then progress to specialisation in Year 3. At this point, they select Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management and continue to develop greater proficiency in the specialisations of their selected field. By this method, the student can gain a wider perspective on various aspects of hospitality in order to make a decision regarding a pathway.

A classroom that is borderless

International exposure is an integral part of learning. Students who are interested in the Culinary Arts may experience the international world of culinary arts with partnerships abroad in Italy, Thailand, Korea and Europe. The collaborations offer exposure to the regional cuisines and techniques as well as food cultures from around the globe.

Students specialising in Hospitality Management may have opportunities to engage in partnerships with renowned institutions in the fields of tourism and destination management, hospitality analytics, sports and entertainment management, luxury brand strategy, experience design, revenue management and hospitality finance. The focus is on learning from the best practices in the world and their significance in the Indian context.

The classroom on the industry floor

Engagement with industry is integrated into the academic journey as opposed to being an add-on. The school's affiliation with Mahindra Holidays and Resorts India Ltd. brings the industry into the classroom, providing students with hands-on experiences in the hospitality sector, an opportunity to meet industry experts and learn firsthand about the workings of guest services and hospitality businesses.

This exposure will provide students with insight into how what they have learned in the classroom applies to real-world decision-making.

The end of the one career myth

The diversity of jobs available to hospitality school graduates is one of the most significant shifts in the career landscape in the hospitality industry. Hotels and restaurants are still big employers, but not the industry. In today's world, a hospitality graduate may find job opportunities in the fields of tourism development, hospitality analytics, revenue management, aviation services, event management, luxury experiences, food innovation and food entrepreneurship.

There are numerous people who are establishing their own businesses, and others who are crafting careers in a field that blends hospitality, technology and consumer behaviour. In an industry that is continually changing and adapting, creative and commercial thinkers with operational knowledge are becoming more and more important.

Getting ready for a yet-to-be-defined career

India's hospitality industry continues to thrive with travel, tourism, food and experience-based organisations growing in the country. In parallel to this development, new professions and new jobs are emerging.

The School of Hospitality Management at Mahindra University has been created with this future in mind. It provides students a wider perspective of what a career in the Hospitality industry can be through practical learning, industry exposure, international collaborations and interdisciplinary education. Today, for those entering the field, the job is no longer restricted to a hotel, restaurant or resort.

The options are much greater and are constantly expanding along with the industry itself. You should contact the relevant department in the School of Engineering for information on admissions.

(Note: This article has been written by the Brand Desk.)