10 Essentials of a Good Hotel Management College

By Dr Sheri Kurian

Hotel Management institute essentials

In India, Hotel Management is a three to four years bachelor’s degree program, in which students are trained to work in any of the four major departments of a hotel – Front Office, House Keeping, F&B Production (Kitchens), F&B Service (Restaurants & Banquets). Apart from these four departments, students also have an option to work in support departments as well such as Sales and Marketing, F&B Purchases, and Human Resource. However, there are institutions offering diploma programs and other certificate programmes primarily to cater to the entry level requirements of the Hotel. Most of the institutions offering degree or Diploma in Hotel Management in India are regulated by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) or affiliated to any University. Therefore, such Institutions have constraints in terms of flexibility in curriculum, which is very much essential for a practical oriented course like Hotel Management.

Autonomous status should be extended to the Institutions offering Hotel Management program so as to develop the curriculum which is suitable for the industry, and also to make the students employable soon after their course.

Hotel Management – Course Content

The course is spread over a period of four years with eight semesters. Some colleges offer a three-year course. The contents of the course are divided into two segments – Core Subjects & Supporting Subjects. The core subjects are divided into Accommodations Operations & Management and Food & Beverage Operations & Management. Accommodations Operations & Management is further divided into Front Office and House Keeping Operations and Management. Food and Beverage operations and Management is further split into Food & Beverage Production and Food & Beverage Service. The supporting subjects include Food Hygiene, Economics, Statistics, Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Organization Behaviour, etc. Apart from these subjects, optional and specialisation subjects must also be available.

Quality Students

Students are the face of the college. They represent the college in competitions and activities in off campus establishments. Hence, it’s important to select the right kind of candidates for the course. A multi-stage selection process helps to identify good quality students. Besides, these students will also excel in their studies, extra and co-curricular activities thereby ensuring overall development. By the end of the course, they will be ready to work in any department(s) of a hospitality establishment. We ask a very basic question to the candidate seeking admission in the Hotel Management Program of our institutes that whether he/she is able to do household job at their own house or whether they extend their help to their mother? Answer given by the candidate enables us to identify whether this candidate is suitable for this program or not?

Quality Teachers

Apart from their basic task of teaching, teachers play an important role in developing students in their respective fields. Often, teachers become role models for the students. Students look up to their teachers for professional and also personal guidance. Hence, it’s important to select the right teachers for the job so as to ensure efficient performance and effective student development. Industry experienced faculty is an essential requirement of this program. Further, faculty needs to be updating themselves with the current trends and practices in the hospitality industry, for which it helps to have short-term orientation programs during semester holidays conducted with the help of hotels regularly.

Student Support for Learning

Provision for support activities and facilities will help students to learn and develop better. Provision of at least two or more spacious kitchen and bakery, training restaurants, banquets, front office labs, housekeeping labs, libraries, computer labs with updated software, research facilities, Wi-Fi facilities, etc are essential in any hotel management college. Apart from that, regular outdoor and indoor activities such as field trips, hotel visits, outdoor catering and opportunity to participate in extra-curricular & co-curricular activities must be present. Regular guest lectures and workshops must also be conducted from time to time. Online and offline training programs must also be available for the students. Innovative teaching and learning is very much appreciated for hotel management students. At our institute, we conduct Theme Lunch and Dinner Program regularly in the campus wherein our students develop the menu themselves based on a theme and market the same to nearby companies and organisations with a price tag. Based on the number of tickets sold, the procurements and preparation of food etc is planned by the students. Such exercise gives more hands-on experience to the students in terms of managing a food service outlet independently.

Technology Based Teaching and Learning

It is important to support the teaching faculties so that they can deliver their knowledge effectively. Good quality projector systems in classrooms, video and audio enabled classrooms, live streams on various dishes and developments, live interactions with the Industry professionals etc are the need of the hour. Air-conditioned staffrooms with computer and other hardware systems and staff cafeterias create a healthy working environment. Apart from that, regular Faculty Development Programs (FDP), enough time for self-study and support for research activities enable the faculty to grow and develop themselves. It is also important to provide basic employee benefits, regular salary hikes and quality work-life balance to the teaching staff. Research is the buzzword today in every field. There should be lot of space for research and research oriented curriculum, which contributes immensely to help the students to learn better.  

Industry Relations

Hotel management colleges must have and maintain good relations with the industry. This will help in placements, resourcing guest lectures, conducting workshops, providing opportunity for outdoor catering and staying updated with industry trends. Besides, students are highly motivated when they interact with professionals from the industry. The same helps with faculty development as well as student development activities.

Student-friendly Supporting/ Non-teaching staff

Non-teaching staff are as important as teaching staff. Hence, they should not be ignored. They should be provided office spaces, updated computer systems, flexible timings, training programs and provisions for food & beverage during duty hours. They perform a number of administration works which ensure smooth functioning of day-to-day activities in the college. A system for interaction of students and non-teaching staff should also be put in place. It is very much essential component that student centric approach from faculty and other staff for better result and achievements.

Infrastructure Development

Development of Infrastructure of the college premise should be given lots of importance. Earthquake and fire resistant buildings, lift facilities for students and staffs, student cafeterias, vending machines, ATM facilities, spacious parking for staffs and students, wide roads and walkways, spacious lawns and gardens, spacious classrooms with audio-visual facilities,  regular water and electric supply, back-up generator outdoor washrooms, water coolers, etc should be present. Good infrastructure gives a good first impression of the college. State-of-the-art laboratories, a hotel attached with the institute would always be better for the students to have hands-on experience.

Other Facilities for Students

Certain facilities such as boarding and lodging facilities are essential for out-station students. The food and beverage served in the hostel must be hygienic and of standard quality. College must also provide online facilities for students to check their attendance, request for documents such as 'Bonafide Certificates', 'Identity Cards', etc. There are certain facilities and activities not directly related to the course contents but they play an important role in preparing the students for their future. Active participation in sports increases students' confidence. Hence, provisions for indoor and outdoor sports must be made.

Management Systems

One of the important functions of the college is to maintain proper systems for activities such as marketing, admissions, placements, examinations, etc. Admissions department is the first one to come in touch with the candidates. Hence, it is important to ensure a smooth admissions process. Apart from that, other activities such as examinations, fee payments, marketing, placements, etc should also be given importance. The efficiency of these activities gives a good impression of the college to all the stakeholders.

If these points are kept in mind, any college will excel and produce good quality students ready to face the world. Besides this, the goodwill of the college will also be enhanced. The college will be popular among existing students, ex-students and industry professionals.

About the Author:

Dr Sheri Kurian

Dr Sheri Kurian is Group Director – Hospitality& Culinary Arts, AIMS Institutes- Peenya- Bangalore.

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