The Higher Education Review

Anshoo Saxena, Trainer & Principal
An alumnus of Institute of Hotel Management, Pusa, New Delhi and completed PG Diploma in Public Relations from BVB, Mumbai, Anshoo Saxena possesses more than 22 years of industry and academic experience. Trainer and Principal at FCI Institute of Management, he is also a freelance hospitality consultant and has a record of rendering training to more than 5000 young boys and girls.

In the 1990s, with the entrance of various national and international hotel chains, the Indian hospitality industry was facing a huge labor crunch, especially in the junior level staff segment. Although, a large number of hospitality management institutes were sprouting up offering long-term courses, many of them failed to develop the skill-sets required to be in the Industry. In that scenario, the initiation of FCI Institute of Management in 1999 proved to be a ray of hope for the hospitality industry and students who aspire to start their career early in this arena without investing much time and fortune. Regarded as the pioneer in empowering individuals to challenge conventional thinking and develop essential skills through a rigorous and interdisciplinary core curriculum, the institute has till date trained more than 6000 students who are working in star hotels both in India and abroad.

"We believe that hospitality students should experience intense industrial training and should be inculcated with ample practical skills. Given this, we at FCI Institute of Management give first priority to hands-on training of the students," opines Anshoo Saxena, Trainer & Principal, FCI Institute of Management. Nestled amidst the scenic beauty of the Dehradun city,

the institute runs a number of short in Hospitality Service Management, Diploma in Aviation, Hospitality and Travel Management, Diploma in Catering Operation, Diploma in Housekeeping, Diploma in Front Office, Certificate in Food Production/House Keeping/ F&B Service, Certificate in Hospitality, Travel & Customer Service and many other vocational courses. The institute also offers traditional UG and PG programmes including UGC approved B.Sc programme in Hotel Management Catering Technology & Tourism under the Distance Education Council.

"Boasting of an academic collaboration with Ras Bihari Bose Subharti University, FCI Institute of Management has incorporated best of both worlds' facilities in its campus considering different needs and requirements of the students

Owing to the reputation and standard that the institute has established over the years, the graduates of FCI can be traced in top-notch organizations like Hyatt Regency, JW Marriot, Park Plaza Group, Taj Hotels, Oberoi Group, Fortune Group, ITC Welcome Group, to name a few. "We pride of our matchless rapport with the industry. Our students never have to confront with the crisis like unemployment and lack of industrial training, as we hold their hands from finding internship opportunities to grabbing job offers," shares Saxena. Boasting of an academic collaboration with Ras Bihari Bose Subharti University, the institute has incorporated best of both world's facilities in its campus considering different needs and requirements of the students. For the internship purpose, the students of FCI are encouraged to undergo a six months training in the industry followed by which they can gain a sound exposure in showcasing their talents.

Bestowing the Secret Sauce of Success
Saxena recalls, "It was not easy to earn the status of 'oldest skill development training college.' The dedication and persistence demonstrated towards achieving the predetermined goal by each and every member of the institute made it happen." The unique teaching

methodology and techniques adopted by the faculty members is one of the many USPs of the institute, where regular examination is conducted and providing utmost importance to the parents, continuous feedback on the progress of their wards are been sent on the monthly basis. Along with classroom teaching, practical activities and rendering self-instructional materials, the faculty members also indulge students in extensive personality, communication and soft skill enhancement programmes, group discussions and routine industry visits, which not only make them skilled but also job-ready.

Such a disciplined culture is cultivated in the campus, where every day one student of every batch shares their learning feedback with the administrative office and on account of this if any student is found with any confusion on particular topics, the proactive faculty members are asked to tackle the concerned doubts. "As we involve students mostly in learning by doing, we make sure that all the expenses while performing those practical works are fulfilled by the institute instead of imposing on the students," claims Saxena.

On the other side, in order to make students wholesomely developed, the institute organizes quiz & debate competitions, outdoor activities, food festivals, picnics and so on. "Holistic approach to education has become a necessary factor in today's rapidly shifting landscape. The annual day of FCI Institute of Management, which is held on 9th September is an additional platform where students can participate in different cultural and sports programmes," pinpoints Saxena. Because of the collaborative endeavors of the management, students and the Placement cell of the institute, FCI Institute of Management has today emerged as a driving force in eradicating the dearth of competent professionals in the hostel industry. "We are already on the verge of initiating skill development courses exclusively for girls and envision providing franchise opportunities, so as to reach maximum students from different parts of the country," concludes Saxena.