Exclusive Interview with CMA (Ms) Shameem Memon, Assistant Prof. in Financial Accounting at VIMSIIHE

Shiksha.com had an engaging conversation with CMA (Ms) Shameem Memon, Assistant Professor in Financial Accounting at VIMSIIHE. During the discussion, the conversation covered the teaching methodologies at the institute. Ms Shammem also shed light on how the institute prepares students to be industry ready.

CMA (Ms) Shameem Memon holds MCom degree specialising in Accounting. She has cleared NET and SET. She also holds membership of Institute of Cost Accountants of India. Ms Shammem Memon has been teaching for fourteen years at different colleges in Maharashtra and Goa at Graduate and PG levels.

She has presented six research papers at National and International Seminars. Ms Shammem has published four research papers in journals including UGC approved journal. She has successfully submitted a minor research project titled ‘Health Tourism in Goa; Challenges and Opportunities’ funded and allocated by the research cell of the college. Currently she is pursuing PhD from University of Mumbai.

The conversation that followed was as below:

Q1. What are the salient features of the teaching methodology adopted by VIMSIIHE? How does this differ from others?

- At .V. M. Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality Education (VMSIIHE), the teaching methodologies are experiential, research-based and student centric. The students are assessed based on the performance in the actual events they conduct as a part of their evaluation process.

At VMIIHE, We never restrict the teaching to classroom and Power Point Presentations. We take the students closer to the industry by conducting lots of field visits, industrial visits, study tours as part of the teaching methodology.

Q2. How are you preparing your students to be industry ready?

- To prepare students to be industry ready, we give practical-based assignments. This helps in linking the industry and academia by conducting many practical based events where students apply their theoretical knowledge to the practical assignments.

A constructive feedback is given to both the students and parents so that students can improve. We conduct pre-placement sessions on grooming, on interview facing skills, also on technical round by providing students the question bank of probable questions to make sure students are ready to face the interviews.

Q3. What are the qualities you are looking for in student applicants? What qualities do they need to do well in your course?

- The student should be ready to learn, it is okay as they are fresher, but students should be ready to learn the new skills. The dedicated students could do well in any course.

Q4. How do you ensure that your course curriculum is up to date and meets industry requirements?

- At VMIIHE, the curriculum is updated frequently. We also add updated content over and above the curriculum as an additional knowledge to help connect students with the industry. The course curriculum is updated regularly, we also add updated content over and above the curriculum as a sort of extra knowledge so that students can get connected with the industry. We call guest speakers from industry to talk about the recent trends in the industry.

Q5: Is your college receptive to Innovation, Technology, Science and Entrepreneurship? How? Could you cite some examples of these?

- Yes, we are receptive to Innovation, Technology, Science and Entrepreneurship. We remain so by welcoming the suggestions from all the stakeholders for innovation. At VIMSIIHE, we always try to be innovative in recipes, preparations, events, etc.

We have our separate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Cell, Cuisine Club, Gardening Club, Gender Champions Club etc. This is where students get a platform to present their innovative ideas while competing at institute, state, national and international level.

Our students also get an opportunity to present their innovative ideas by writing research paper and presenting the same at national and international conferences.