LIHM is “By the Hoteliers, For the Hoteliers”, the curriculum is also developed by the Hoteliers, says Principal Rego

Gladvin Rego – Principal of the Lexicon Institute of Hotel Management discusses the major differentiating aspects that enable the institute to stand out from other institutes offering comparable programmes in an interview with Shiksha.com. He goes to great length on the goal of creating Day Zero Professionals. LIHM is a cutting-edge Hospitality Management institute that is going to great lengths to ensure that students are industry-ready, including industry interactions, multiple certification courses, and so on.

Rego is an alumnus of IHM Mumbai, he comes with eight years in the industry and 24 years in teaching and training, with a vast experience of Food and Beverage and Managerial subjects. Rego has conducted nationwide workshops for teachers for the Government of India under the Skill Development Programme of The Tourism and Hospitality Skills Council.

Read the complete interview below

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

A: Though there are many factors that help us differentiate from other institutes offering similar programmes but the most important are:

1. We create “Day Zero Professionals”, which means the student is ready with the skills and knowledge required to perform a task in a department of a Hotel before he leaves the college. Working on specialised equipment, handling modern software programs or interacting with guests in real-life situations are skills that are imbibed in the college through a redesigned curriculum. 
2. Major hotel groups own a class at the Lexicon Institute of Hotel Management. International Chains like Marriott and Indian Hotel Chains like Sarovar, own a class in the institute. Besides mentoring through guest lectures and providing priority selection in internships and placements, these groups sensitise the students to the culture of the company. The student is culturally ready to join several organisations before stepping out in the industry. The student undertakes research of prevalent issues and submits reports to leaders
3. The Governing and Advisory Council is led by Industry Leaders from all sections of the hospitality business, media and marketing. This enables the student to understand not only the management of hotels but the conduct of business in hospitality. The Senior Leaders mentor students to develop a sense of ownership in whatever they do leading to the development of entrepreneurs in hospitality.

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

A: To help students become industry ready:

1. We teach Spanish and Mandarin, which along with English helps our students communicate with a large population of the international community. 
2. Interact with Industry Leaders more frequently so that they may match their personal traits and goals with the type of career they wish to follow in the future.
3. Provide several certifications besides the curriculum like Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), Memory Techniques, Emotional Intelligence, Personal Branding, Conflict Resolution, Supply Chain Management and Digital Marketing. Vintner Craig Wedge and Mixologist Ms Shatbhi Basu - The Keeper of the Quaich, certify our students for Wine and Spirits program. The students will also participate in India’s first Cigar certification conducted by Davidoff Cigars. All students are also enrolled for LinkedIn Learning. The institute also has onboard a mental health coach.

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

A: To qualify for admission to LIHM, one must have

• Passion to follow dreams
• Communication ability
• Willingness and attitude to be part of the hospitality industry
• Aptitude for the service industry

To perform well:

• Be present always and remain curious. Don’t miss classes and clarify doubts from faculty and coaches.
• Be participative and immersive in everything you do.
• Communicate with your mentors frequently.

Q: Which programme/s would you say is/are your best? What is it that helps your institution differentiate itself for this programme?

A: The three-year program in Hospitality Studies is the benchmark program of our institute. The institute is “By the Hoteliers, For the Hoteliers”, the Course Content is developed and implemented by the Hoteliers in the Governing and Advisory Council, which makes it relevant and industry-centric. The institute has practical workstations like Kitchens, Bakery, Restaurant, Guest Room, Housekeeping Workstations, Simulated Front Office Centre, Language labs, Innovation Lab, Seminar Halls, Boutique Culinary Theatres and Auditoriums.

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 college (observed over the past five years)

A: The Institute already has several collaborations with hotel companies like Marriott and Sarovar Hotels and Resorts to place our students for internships and jobs. There are several more collaborations happening in the Hotel and Aviation sector to assist students to find jobs easily in other hospitality sectors. The students will also have opportunities to join allied industries like Davidoff Cigars and Wineries.

Though this being our first intake in July 2022, we have already started receiving requests for internship and placements from our industry partners. Our first batch will be available in 2025 for placements in the hospitality industry.