In a significant effort towards enhancing the hospitality sector as well as the quality of hospitality education in India, the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) and Mayfair Hotels and Resorts today signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at IIHM’s upcoming campus in Siliguri, West Bengal. This brings together one of India’s biggest hotel companies and the world’s biggest hospitality education brand in a ground-breaking partnership that aims to benefit both hospitality students and the hospitality industry. The partnership aims to bolster education, training, and industry collaboration to further elevate the quality of hospitality professionals in the country.
After a warm welcome to the Mayfair leadership, the momentous event took place at IIHM Siliguri, where the MoU was signed by Dr Suborno Bose, Founder and CEO, IIHM and Mr Pankaj Pradhan, Chief HR Officer, Mayfair Hotels and Resorts.
Dr. Suborno Bose, Chairman, IIHM Worldwide, expressed his enthusiasm for this historic collaboration by stating, “This partnership with Mayfair Hotels and Resorts and all campuses of IIHM is testament to our commitment to providing students with the best education and industry exposure. Together, we are crafting the future of hospitality, where education meets excellence. Siliguri is experiencing a boom in tourism specially in tea. Many five-star properties are coming up in this town that is the gateway to the North East.”
Mr Manoj Gouda, President, Mayfair Hotels and Resorts, also showed a lot of excitement for the MOU and said, “This MOU will help to add value to system and uplift the quality of the students making them fit for the industry as well as for Mayfair. I feel out of this arrangement the students will have an edge over others as they will not only learn the basics of hospitality from IIHM but also the culture of corporate organization like Mayfair. This strategic partnership is also aimed at enriching our existing staff with advance training and development opportunities. IIHM and Mayfair share a significant bond and this MOU will strengthen the bond more and help us to work closely with each other.”
Mr Pankaj Pradhan, Chief Human Resources Officer, Mayfair Hotels and Resorts, expressed his positivity about this MoU by saying, “This MOU supports a lot of growth and help to the Hospitality Industry and help also to the aspirants of this industry. Nayfair being a pioneer of the trend will provide extensive support in terms of getting matching the right talent to the right career opportunity. “
The MoU, that has come into effect immediately, solidifies the partnership between IIHM and Mayfair Hotels and Resorts reflecting their shared commitment to advancing educational opportunities for students and promoting mutually beneficial linkages in the hospitality sector. Under the MoU, the key objectives and provisions are outlined as follows:
- Background: The partnership aims to foster long-term collaboration in higher education, enhancing the learning experience for students pursuing Hospitality Management. It intends to create highly employable Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) Diploma and Certificate holders holders, validated by THSC and graduates of Degree in Hotel, Hospitality and Tourism Management.
- Mayfair’s Role and Responsibility: Mayfair Hotels and Resorts will provide essential inputs to IIHM for curriculum design, industrial training, guest lectures, faculty development programs, student placement, and operational exposure.
- IIHM’s Role and Responsibility: IIHM will oversee student selection, offer dedicated classrooms, and conduct courses, which include industrial training and exams, as per regulatory requirements.
- Students’ Roles and Responsibilities: Students will attend all curriculum-related activities, accept internships and placements in Mayfair- managed hotels, and uphold the reputation of both IIHM and Mayfair.
- Program Management and Quality Assurance: Mayfair will provide material for dedicated classrooms and both parties will nominate representatives to monitor the MoU’s implementation.
- Placement of Students in India: Mayfair-managed hotels will recruit the students of IIHM given admission under this MoU at the entry-level position in Mayfair’s hotels in India subject to their final selection by the Mayfair-managed hotels
This collaboration between IIHM and Mayfair Hotels & Resorts holds great promise for the future of the hospitality industry in India, emphasizing education, skill development, and industry engagement. The signing of the MoU is a significant milestone in the journey to elevate the standards of hospitality and tourism in the country.