Education

Qualification amplification

The education sector seems to be smitten by hospitality but the viability of the courses offered thus remains a question. Will it sound the end for the industry's talent search? By Sanjeev Bhar

Suddenly, educational institutions are concentrating hard on hospitality, and offering nothing less than a Masters degree or specialisation. Earlier, higher education in hospitality was uncommon in India because of the belief that the service sector could do without professionals and higher and specialised education. Time, now, is calling for change.

Developing a novice into a hardcore professional in a hotel's dynamic environment is a big challenge for its HR department. Opening up of new properties has created a void in the top management as well, has led to a rush in hiring and poaching. Hence, the search for mid to senior management level personnel has suddenly increased. Earlier, hotel graduates passing out of three-year diploma programmes were preparing for management training, but competition has now made young graduates stand up and take notice.

Higher education, therefore, is a must. Robert Donison, managing director of Bangalore Management Academy (BMA), says, "The youth of today needs education which is globally accepted and recognised. We need a platform where students get a chance to study a course of their interest from a range of programmes."

This also reflects that students should be provided with choices. Those passing out with higher degrees now stand a better chance to directly reach the mid-management level in a hotel, which otherwise would take five to seven years for a graduate to reach. Anshoo Walia, dean at Hospitality, Catering & Tourism, Jagan Institute of Management Studies (JIMS), is of the opinion that hospitality is the call of the day. "Graduates are getting opportunities to handle new challenges in multinational companies, retail chains, airlines, etc. Therefore, there has been a shift in preferences of these companies as well where they are recruiting students with higher educations," she opines.

The FHRAI Institute of Hospitality Management also plans to offer specialised two-year MBA in hospitality management by next session. Dr Jagmohan Negi, adviser to FHRAI IHM, says, "This course will be on various subjects like skill development, culinary arts, bartending, bakery and confectionery, and interior designing and landscaping. Till now, no such courses are being offered in the industry, for which we plan to tie up with a competent international or national university." FHRAI IHM already offers programmes in International Hospitality Administration and International Culinary Administration, certified by Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), Switzerland.

An MBA with specialisation in hospitality or tourism is a relatively new entrant. Donison remarks, "Our duty is to facilitate a dedicated and determined growth of human intellect and knowledge. A Masters degree or an MBA is the right way to approach the future challenges of hospitality and tourism." This course is intended to help them move towards the second level of growth. A Masters in hospitality management on the other hand is for graduates who do not have any prior knowledge or familiarity with the industry, he explains.

Volatile combination

An MBA with specialisation in hospitality and tourism (including a Masters course) is perceived to be a perfect combination. Walia says, "A graduate from whichever stream opting for a Masters has better capability to accept and comprehend the business of hospitality. Specific training is given to students undergoing specialisation in hospitality and tourism with an MBA to make them better suited for managerial jobs."

On the other hand, Alok Shivapuri, principal (IHM Pusa), New Delhi, says, "It is needless to say that higher degrees has become vital today. Even IHMs across the country under the aegis of National Council of Hotel Management, Catering & Nutrition (NCHMCT) offers an MSc course in Hospitality Administration (through IGNOU). But there has to be a streamlined approach where a Masters should leverage on the knowledge acquired in undergraduate course to build momentum."

This MSc course requires students to have one of the following: a BSc in Hospitality & Hotel Administration, a diploma in Hotel Management from NCHMCT stream with any other degree qualification, or a diploma in Hotel Management from NCHMCT stream with two years of work experience in supervisory category in any established and approved star hotel or other hospitality/service organisation/faculty with a minimum of two years of teaching experience from NCHMCT affiliated institute/AICTE-approved IHM.

However, these issues raise doubts. Higher education in hospitality puts a question mark on the scope of hotel management course at the undergraduate level. While IGNOU, owing to its memorandum with NCHMCT, asks for diploma or degree in hotel management for the Masters programme, no other private institute puts a condition of that sort, though hospitality graduates remain the preferable choice. Shivapuri defends this and says, "The undergraduate course prepares an attitude that is vital for students before entering the industry. A student with a diploma or a Bachelors degree in hotel management would have an edge. It is vital to understand that if the concentration of hospitality education shifts from technical to managerial, it would have adverse effects. There is a need to balance the two." The industry needs people who can plan as well as execute the course of action. An MBA is an option where students develop both managerial and technical skills required in the field.

The other notion that favours a Masters degree or an MBA in hospitality is the need to create decision makers at the managerial level. It has been noticed that most international hotel chains go for foreigners to head their respective departments. Shivapuri explains, "It is apparent that many professionals in this industry are not from the hospitality background but are gaining some expertise about the industry through post-graduate courses. But that does not mean that hotel management courses at the undergraduate level are of no use. Today, those with higher degrees are getting preference as managers." Whatever the debate, one thing is certain - higher education broadens a candidate's horizon.

MBA graduates, after joining the hospitality sector, are expected to have better ability to manage, perform and implement work schedules. Donison claims, "MBA graduates with specialisation in hospitality and tourism will certainly empower this booming industry. We hold three months of industry internship to help students with technical aspects so that learning is not limited to the classroom." A lot of emphasis is laid upon student participation in live projects that are part of the project work in MBA programmes.

Future ahead

The opportunities that education presents in these two industries, while having a positive effect, also gives rise to fly-by-night operators. The success of an institute, however, would be determined by the way the course is structured. Says Donison, "An MBA is constantly in touch with the industry. The course curriculum for MBA (International) with specialisation in hospitality and tourism is designed, updated and revised as per the industry standards."

According to him, industry professionals regularly monitor the course curriculum for MBAs in hospitality and tourism to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. "Effort has been taken to design a course that can meet the expectations of a global market. It stands apart from the other related course as it helps to fulfill the requirements of the service industry," he added. Similarly, Walia points out, "We ensure that the course is reviewed from time to time. We have industry experts to help and advice on the course structure and make it a point to get feedback from the recruiters during campus interviews about the course."

There is certainly a proactive approach visible in the promotion for higher education and the fact that there has been a positive wave for higher education in hospitality is a good sign for the industry. Whether the emergence of these courses will attract the young brigade remains to be seen. But what would definitely fill in the ranks is the way the sector will define its recruitment policies, especially when more Indians begin to head operations of international hotel chains.