The Higher Education Review

The heart of Indian subcontinent, Madhya Pradesh offers something for both travelers and tourists. Among the tourist destinations in Madhya Pradesh, Panna Bandhavgarh - Kanha tiger trail along with a visit to see delicate Khajuraho sculptures is a must-do thing in the itinerary of its guests. Despite having a good number of visitors, tourism in this region was not able to make a delightful experience for the high profile travelers due to an acute shortage of trained professionals in the resorts and restaurants. In 2010,SYNA International College of Management Studies came into existence and changed the fortune of this exotic destination. The only hospitality institution affiliated to Rani Durgawati University that has identified placement opportunities in this region, SYNA has always focused on educating the rural community of the entire Mahakaushal region, which is endowed with popular tourist attractions.

Growing by leaps and bounds since the inception, SYNA has been honored by numerous awards from distinguished organization such as Education Council of India- 2015, International Society for Hospitality Education- 2016 and 24 Media and Research Corporation- 2017. Dr. C Rajesh Kumar, Principal, SYNA opines, "We are extremely zealous and decisive to make a positive difference in enhancing the dignity and quality of life of our students by fostering creativity, independent thinking, explorative and experimentation to the fullest extent." Appreciated widely for earning an exemplary placement rate, the institute believes in preparing the students with extensive hands-on training.

Given this, SYNA has placed its students with reputed organizations like Oberoi, Taj, Ramada, Park, Marriott's, Salam Bombay (Canada), Hotel Equatorial(Malaysia), Libertas Hotel (Germany), Absolute

Barbeque (DUBAI), Home brand - SYNA Hotels and many more. "SYNA Group owns three hotels in this region and recently added one more property at Khajuraho. This strongly eases the regular training of our students," pinpoints Dr. Kumar. The institute is an apt zone where the learners bloom into professionals with adequate knowledge and skills. These qualities highly impress the top recruiters which result in a flow of job offers way before completing their courses. Dr. Kumar adds, "We have organized many job fairs, where our students, as well as general public, get opportunities to be hired by organizations that they aspire to be in."

Designed the curriculum with a blend of theoretical and practical aspects, SYNA offers varied courses viz., B.B.A(Hotel Management), BBA, B.Com (Honors), International Hospitality Management Diploma(AHLEI-USA) coupled with short-term skill development programmes, approved by Government of India and leading Hotels/ Restaurants. The students studying at SYNA are provided an eco-friendly environment, which is peaceful and serene letting them accord their whole concentration on the education process. The campus, which is nestled away from hustle bustle of the chaotic city, encompasses world-class facilities like training Kitchen, training Restaurant, training bar, front office lab, guest room, well- equipped library, seminar halls, computer lab, sports facilities and so on.

"SYNA is an apt zone where the learners bloom into professionals with adequate knowledge and skills

Filling the Gaps
Hospitality demands a mix of skills, right from physical to soft skills. Identifying this, the talented faculty members of SYNA leaves no stone unturned to make students capable hospitality professionals by the time they receive their degrees. The institute organizes diverse events, conferences, seminars including an arrangement of theme parties on a monthly basis where students get to practice and learn by doing in a real situation.

"We appoint our faculty members after considering many factors. They hail from various backgrounds and regions along with holding varying years of experience," claims Dr. Kumar

As the faculty members are rendered residential facilities in the campus, the students can get in touch with them out of the classroom anytime for clearing their doubts. "Teaching pedagogies and techniques change with time. We encourage our staffs to stay updated by making it compulsory for them to undergo one training program of a week's duration and to participate in three national level seminars", shares Dr. Kumar. Along with the teachers, eminent hospitality heads shares their insight with the students by a session of an hour in the student's WhatsApp groups. These approaches assist the students of SYNA to be the first preference in the job market.

The Institute grooms the students through personality development classes, ESL classes, workshops by HR managers from various reputed organizations, equip them for online, telephonic audio and video interviews keeping in mind the current trends and future speculations. With the motto of "Dedication and Determination", the Institute has come a long way in the path of excellence where the graduates stand firmly on the nationally and globally set standards for hospitality education. "We are planning to conduct a mega job fair during the mid of October this year in collaboration with International hotel chains. And, in long-term, SYNA intends to become a deemed university focusing on hospitality education," concludes Dr. Kumar.

Dr. C. Rajesh Kumar, Founder Principal
Dr. C Rajesh Kumar holds several years of academic experience. He is an author of several Tourism and Hospitality subjects and his research papers have been published in reputed journals. He is the member of COE (TISS).He is the recipient of several awards like Eminent Educationist award, Bharat Shiksha Ratna award, Glory of the state award, Indian Hospitality Congress award for excellence in Hospitality & Tourism education etc.