Dr. Ruchita Verma, an ardent lady is currently serving as a Dean for the School of Hospitality
Management (SOHM) . She has 28 years of experience in academics in various positions.
She has headed 5 hospitality schools and two design schools within the last three
decades.
She is passionate about driving the academic operations to the next best level by
streamlining the operational procedures, implementing new processes and
championing change initiatives, driving academic excellence by streamlining and
enhancing academic curriculum, setting up the institutional infrastructure, and
implementing reforms by way of policy changes and improved processes.
As a researcher, she has contributed insightful research papers, articles, organized
conferences, seminars and workshops, study tours, and talk invitations. She holds a
Doctorate in Management She has two Masters degrees in her basket having completed
her MBA in General Management from the University of Southern Hampshire and a
Masters in Tourism Management. She also holds a PG Diploma in Hotel Administration &
Management from IHM, Mumbai.
Today with us, she shares insights on hospitality programs at NMIMS, their modules and courses, facilities for students, and much more.
1) What is the course structure offered by NMIMS? How different is it from the other established hospitality education programs?
The BBA – Hospitality Operations and Management program with its uniquely blended curriculum, is spread over six semesters. Hospitality Operations subjects as a key focus is spread from the first semester to the sixth semester.
The students are given an introduction to fundamentals of hospitality and management in the first two semesters from the hospitality operations perspective. The third semester will introduce intense operations and management in volume-based business. The fourth semester comprises mandatory industry internship to get industry operational experience and connect. The fifth and sixth semesters focus on entrepreneurship and management areas. The School of Hospitality Management (SoHM) helps develop future leaders who possess hospitality values and managerial skills. Compared to other hospitality schools, the program offered by NMIMS aims to address industry solutions to the changing patterns in the hospitality industry due to creativity as well as socio-cultural and technological changes.
2) Since NMIMS has already established itself with its educational campuses and nearly 40 years of experience, how different was it to enter the hospitality education centre? What are the special measures taken to module this particular one?
Since its inception, NMIMS has continued its tradition of educating young minds and finding solutions to resolve the challenges in society and in the business world. With its modern Campus in Navi Mumbai, the School of Hospitality Management is all about practical training, research, critical thinking, and application.
SoHM’s pedagogy offers an in-depth look at the art and science of creativity and management in the hospitality industry. Internships are given to students for hands-on experience in the areas of culinary arts, bakery and confectionery, F & B Service, lodging, and rooms division management.
The teaching methods through industry visits, lectures, projects, and internships will help students acquire professional skills. Graduates will acclimatize to change and be ready to grow in the rapidly evolving hospitality industry.
3) Can you give us a brief about the infrastructure, facilities, and courses of the campus?
The BBA Hospitality Operations and Management, with its best-in-class curriculum, spans six semesters. The duration of the course is 3 years and 10+2 passing with at least 50% marks in any area is the eligibility criteria for admission to this program. The aim of the program is to impart business knowledge and its application in the hotel industry to students. In order to apply for a hospitality program, certain steps must be followed.
The NMIMS School of Hospitality Management features a state-of-the-art infrastructure that includes hands-on laboratories, classrooms, library, computer labs and recreation rooms. The School has program specific labs such as the Basic Training Kitchen, Bakery & Confectionary, Training Restaurant, a Front Office lab, a Housekeeping lab and two training guest rooms.
4) Do you have accommodations for the students and the teaching staff?
NMIMS SoHM does not provide accommodation for the teaching staff as most of them stay within a 10 km radius from the Campus. A separate girl and boys hostel is available for the student’s accommodation. Both the hostels are within a distance of 2 kilometres from the Campus. The hostels are fully equipped and self-sufficient staying units.
5) Do you have any well-renowned people from the hospitality sector who are on the advisory board?
The members of the advisory board are Chef Sunil Kumar Awasthi, a gourmet food Consultant & Connoisseur, Mr. Sameer Sud, General Manager of The Leela, Mumbai, Dr. Jayant Kathe, retired Senior Professor from IHM, Mumbai, Mr. Bimal Bodaji, Director of Training & Business Development at Indus Cruise lines. Among the other hospitality industry members on the advisory board are Mr. R. Veeraraghavan, Vice President, Learning & Development at Reliance Brands Ltd, Chef Dr. Kaviraj Khialani, Celebrity Master Chef & Principal of Kohinoor Institute of Hotel Management, Mr. Amit Suman is the Learning & Development Manager at Taj Hotels, Palaces, Resorts & Safaris, Mr. Pradeep Yadav is the Learning & Development Manager at The Sofitel Hotel, Mumbai, Ms. Lebana Penkar is the Chief Peoples Officer at Arrivae Pvt. Ltd, Brigadier Pavan Ganjoo, a retired army veteran and Ms. Geeta Khanna, Director, Flying Career Aviation Academy.
6) Has NMIMS affiliated with any hotel chains for campus placements?
NMIMS School of Hospitality Management has not partnered with any hotel chain, the fact that it has eminent hoteliers on its advisory board helps the School to get prestigious hotel chains for the placement activity on the Campus. The School has achieved 90%+ placement for the batch which passed out this year.
7) Where do you see yourself taking NMIMS School of hospitality management in the next 3-5 years?
Opportunities for growth, fascinating work, good income, a stable future, community service opportunities, social standing, work-life balance, and good income will influence hospitality career aspirants. Leaders of tomorrow will be trained in the technology and skills. With this training students need to be disruptive and innovative in their approach to work.
Our goal is to make the NMIMS School of Hospitality a leader in hospitality and management education in the next 3-5 years. Students will be exposed to the dynamics of hospitality operations and to the vigour of management education. In our program, students will learn to become professionals who can work not only in the hospitality industry but in any segment of the service industry across the globe.
8) Any message to all our young readers out there who wish to enter the hospitality industry?
To be successful and make it big in the hospitality industry, the students must possess skills and knowledge to use the right tools effectively, take responsibility, multi-task, focus on attention to detail, and ensure time management. The students should also have skills encompassing good leadership and communication skills. A degree in hospitality operations & management will prepare students to take advantage of expanding market opportunities.
Students can also utilize expertise gained from their degree in businesses like tourism, entertainment, marketing, property and event management, entertainment, small business ownership, and destination management. The growth opportunities will depend on the career moves of the student.
