ITM Institute of Hotel Management: Imparting Quality Education To Graduates With An International Perspective Of Hospitality, Tourism And Service Industry

By Ujwala Sonawane, Dean
Ujwala Sonawane,Dean A group of hospitality institutions committed to meeting the educational and professional needs of its students ITM Institute of Hotel Management (ITM IHM) was Established in 2002 to provide skilled leaders to the global hospitality and tourism industry. The foundation of ITM was laid in the Commercial capital of India with a vision is to impart quality education to graduates with an international perspective of the hospitality, tourism and service industry turning them into lifelong learners and global citizens.

Encouraging its students to achieve their true potential ITM IHM preparesits graduates for employment and academic advancement. The institute strives to help its students maintain and foster ethical practices, encourages sustainable development and involvement in corporate social responsibilities. ITM IHM is the first institute to start a culinary course in Mumbai empowering students to study with International University. With a strong culture, value system, discipline at campuses, and well-experienced faculty members in terms of Indus-try experience and qualification, more emphasis is given on students' presentation skills and personality development at ITM IHM.

Enabling Students to Have Holistic Growth Opportunities
To stay updated with the latest industry trends at ITM IHM, the syllabus is reviewed every year and with the approval of industry experts, the curriculum is thoroughly revised. Faculties are also regularly sent for skill updates and training in core departments to various hotels. ITM IHM has a vertical called Talewind to take care of personality development and soft skills of students which mold students into the finest professionals ready to join the industry. Apart from enabling students to have holistic growth opportunities, ITM - IHM offers courses that are a balanced blend of Classroom learning, Practical Learning and Industry Exposure.

"We encourage research-based learning through different
Modules in all aspects of theory and practical learning. The students are trained to create a healthy workspace for the future by taking care of all stakeholders and the planet. Having a perfect knowledge about the service arena of the hospitality industry very well, the ITM ­ IHM graduates are encouraged to undertake higher study options and work toward their specialized areas. Apart from making them well versed for the future in terms of being supervisors, managers, leaders and entrepreneurs, the students will always have the training, placement office and the network of ITM IHM alumni as a strong backbone, whenever they need," states Prof. Ujwala Sonawane, Dean, ITM - IHM.

Turning The Students into Fine Hospitality Professionals
At ITM IHM students are introduced to research-based learning in the final year to do research theoretically and practically with international standards, as various modules adopted by the institute enable students to think out of the box. Students are placed for internships and jobs not only in India but also have international placement opportunities through the training and placement department at ITM - IHM. More emphasis is given to practical knowledge gain to hone the skills of students and turn them into fine hospitality professionals.

“The students are trained to create healthy workspace for the future by taking care of all stakeholders and the planet”

Along with an International visit organized for the final year students, a lot of extracurricular activities and industrial visits are planned for students throughout the three years for e.g., winery visit, cheese farm visit, Agro tourism, Industrial laundry, Finest hotel and restaurant visit and many more domestic tours. Having the existence of more than a decade, ITM IHM has very good connections with the hospitality industry not only Hotels but also sectors like Facility Management, Retail, Hospitals, Industrial kitchens, Airline sector, Wand more.

"The industry has changed a lot as the modern clientele are the millennial and the Covid factor has forced the industry to fast-track usage of technologies and highest standard of Hygiene. The Cloud kitchens, Budget Hotels, Staycation, Airports in Tier I cities, Health and wellness services (like Spa), Image management consultancies,
High-end retail, Cruise-liner in India and Asia, Boutique distillers and brewers are here to stay and not a passing trend. We have introduced internships in the various non-core hospitality sectors for our students and allowed various modern business leaders and young achievers and young brands to conduct training/mentorship classes for our students.

The students are enabled by using mock technologies (used by hotels and restaurant sector) and learn the importance of digital communication to apply the same in the real world scenarios. Our industry connect allows students to learn modern products, techniques and processes which are delivered by a range of industry experts like executive chefs, pastry chefs, master bakers, general managers, Flight and cruise line mangers, Revenue managers and such industry leaders during their campus visits. Students are given extra practical inputs such as fruit and vegetable carvings, Mixology work-shops, chance to participate in various state-level competitions," Prof. Ujwala Sonawane.

ITM - has partnership with Margret University (Scotland, UK) so that the students can pursue the international degree here in India and opt to take a transfer either to QMU or the UK in their final year. There are several long-standing relation-ships with 5-star hotels, restaurant chains, international recruiters, retail chains, Catering establishments, Quick service restaurants where students are put training and placements. The institute plans major tie-ups with leading industry brands in the coming years. "ITM IHM was the first one in the country to launch 3 years culinary degree, it was at the forefront to provide international hospitality qualification in the Indian market.

ITM has its own Vocational Univ in Vadodara, Gujarat and its own university in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Various modules are added to every year's learning to help students acquire those extra skills that will make a huge difference. In the future, ITM IHM looks forward to begin with Masters/PG level qualification in the Hospitality sector and a higher diplomas/degree level qualification in the field of Bakery & patisserie. We at IHM plan to develop skill development courses to increase skilled manpower for hotels in collaboration with leading hotels," concludes Prof. Ujwala Sonawane.
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