Education and industry are two sides of the same coin, especially in hospitality. Education requires industry inputs to remain relevant, and the industry depends on education for competent talent. To bolster this relationship, Accor and the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) signed a landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) at IIHM’s global campus in Salt Lake last month.
The MoU sets up a long-term collaborative relationship between the duo to provide enhanced hospitality education and empower students with employment opportunities throughout India. Under this agreement, IIHM will be offering a one-year certificate/diploma course, including industrial training and exams, in accordance with the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) and the Government of India requirements.
Accor will provide essential inputs to IIHM to help design an industry-relevant curriculum with industrial training opportunities. The collaboration will also result in guest lectures, faculty development programs, internships and placements in Accor-managed hotels, and operational exposure across Accor’s Indian properties. The partnership was forged in the presence of Puneet Dhawan, senior vice-president of operations, Accor India and South Asia; and Dr Suborno Bose, founder-CEO of IIHM.
Dhawan expressed his delight at finally getting the partnership going after a lot of planning, “Our partnership with IIHM represents a significant step towards nurturing future talent within the hospitality sector. We are dedicated to empowering young minds with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the dynamic world of hospitality.”
He added that the plan was to create a course where students spent seven months in college, four months in one of their hotels, and one month giving exams. “Within a year, students will be ready to be employed either in one of our hotels, or the industry at large,” Dhawan said.
Dr Bose was all smiles as he emphasised on the significance of the collaboration, “Becoming a top professional in the hospitality industry requires dedication, education and hands-on experience. This partnership with Accor India is a testament to our commitment in providing students with the best education and industry exposure. Together, we are crafting the future of hospitality, where education meets excellence.”
The course will be offered at the IIHM campuses in Delhi NCR, Kolkata, Bangalore, Pune, Goa, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Hyderabad.