ITM IHM gives priorities to creative thinking, awards innovation, empowers students to make decisions, says Principal

In an interview with Shiksha.com, Principal Purva of ITM IHM discusses the many practices and innovation tactics used at the institute to make the curriculum more beneficial for students. She goes into detail about the necessity of application-based learning, which offers students a good idea of how real-world corporates operate.

Purwa Tawade has over 22 years of corporate experience and over 9 years of academic experience as a principal.

Read the complete interview below

Q: What are the salient features of the teaching methodology adopted by your college? How does this differ from others?

A: At ITM Institute of Hotel Management, Navi Mumbai, various practices and principles are used by experienced professors and chefs making the course highly effective for the students. The teaching methodologies are changing the education sector around the world with better academic performance among students. Here in ITM IHM, we not only focus on curriculum learning which is essential but also on practical learning, project-based learning, Cooperative learning, competency-based learning, Problem-based Learning and gamification which develop their professional skills and train them for the real industry.

Q: How are you preparing your students to be Industry ready?

A: ITM IHM always considers students' performance on a priority basis, the aim of the college is to rigorously strengthen their basic skills and make them survive in the professional field. 

ITM IHM gives priorities to creative thinking, awards innovation, empowers students to make decisions, by allowing them to make mistakes and regularly monitors the overall growth of students in all three years of the course. 

Within the campus, numerous competition and live events, are arranged where the students of all three years come together and work as a team with the freedom to plan and execute larger events with accuracy. More emphasise is given to Practical learning which assists students with clear direction, building confidence, improving their communication skills, and understanding the different market risks involved.

Q: What are the qualities you are looking for in student applicants? What qualities do they need to do well in your course?

A: ITM IHM wants their students to be passionate about their course chosen, ready for hard work, and responsible with a positive attitude to learning new concepts and techniques. Good personality and a sense of social responsibility.

As the hospitality industry is among the leading professional workspace and it requires multitude of congenial skills to delight the guests and employees. ITM IHM helps students in developing leadership qualities, hospitality skills, people interaction, attention to detail, industry awareness, time management resulting in upgrading students’ personality and professional growth.

Q: How do you ensure that your course curriculum is up to date and meets industry requirements?

A: ITM IHM keeps track of industry requirements accordingly updating its syllabus from time to time. Continuous research work and feedback are taken from the industry experts and further reviewed by the Board of Studies. Teaching methodology, Study materials are updated as per industry norms. 

The curriculum has the perfect blend of theory and practice, and it also includes internships at national and international hotels.

Q: Is your college receptive to innovation, technology, science & entrepreneurship? How? Could you cite some examples of these? 

A: Melange is an annual event of ITM IHM, is a perfect example of innovation and technology.  Entrepreneurship Ability, Innovation and New Venture Creation are inevitable prerequisites for students to be globally competitive. ITM IHM focuses on providing opportunities for budding entrepreneurs with the knowledge to display their skills. It has been ITM IHM tradition to host this mega festival and display students talent and trade skills.