IIHM prides itself with the Best Placement track record in Hospitality Education, says Director Sameer Mehta

In an interview with Shiksha.com, Sameer Mehta, Director IIHM Goa - International Institute of Hotel Management, discusses the institute's primary distinguishing features. He talks into great depth about the numerous programmes that have been implemented to help students become industry ready, such as on-the-job training, entrepreneurial experience, business visits, and so on.

Mehta has over 15 years of rich industry and academic experience.

Read the complete interview below

Q: What are the three things that IIHM is doing that will enable it to differentiate itself from the competition?

A: IIHM Goa has been established at the heart of International Tourist Destination – Goa. Students get the opportunity to interact with various cultures and different traveller needs. The exposure that they get from such experience makes them hospitality professionals par excellence.

IIHM Goa is nestled in Indismart Woodbourne Resort, a beautiful resort hotel, sprawling over 22 acres of lush greens and catering to both leisure and business travellers. The students of IIHM Goa are provided an integral opportunity to undergo On- the- Job Training at the Resort in the first year itself, which provides a holistic learning experience.

Students of IIHM Goa have many opportunities to get trained and work in International tourism centres such as Europe, Middle East, Australia, South East Asia etc.

Q: What are the top initiatives undertaken by you that are helping your students become more industry ready?

A: Following are a few initiatives undertaken to help students become industry ready

• On Job Training while studying at the IIHM Hotel School – Indismart Woodbourne Resort
• Real-Time Entrepreneurship Experience to the students while during the course of their education called Realia.
• Students are sent to International Wine Tour, Culinary Tour, Tea Tour and offsite learning excursions so that they connect with the subjects passionately and learn better, beyond the books.

Q: What are the key attributes that a student should have in order to qualify for the institution and perform well?

A: Qualification to IIHM are that the student should have completed Class 12 from a recognized board of education. Selection depends on the attitude and the passion with which the candidate feels he/ she can deliver in the industry. This industry is about creating happiness for other people. Thus, the candidate has to have empathy towards fellow human beings. But most importantly, the person should have the willingness to learn.

Every student at IIHM can get top grades if they persevere for it. The marking is based upon a good mix of assessments – written exams, Viva, Presentations, Real-Time Exposure, Events and Practicals. This way the student does not feel pressured from one specific form of assessment, that he/she may not be comfortable with.

Q: What are you doing to improve/drive better campus placements for your current students and alumni? What kind of jobs routinely come to campus? What would you say are the key recruitment trends for your university/college (observed over the past five years at IIHM?

A: IIHM prides itself with the Best Placement track record in Hospitality Education. Having won various awards and being recognized as the best hospitality education brand for its Placements and knowledge provision, IIHM is recognized as one of the world’s best Hospitality Management Institutes. The Institute has one of the best hospitality networks in the world, being associated with all the major hotel brands in the World – Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Taj, Oberois, ITC etc. Not only are these brands regular recruiters at the campuses, they also partake in mentoring and guiding the students towards a successful hospitality career at IIHM. Thus the students of IIHM Goa have a strong foundation for excellent Placements.