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Manipal : Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration alumni shared their rich experiences with the students to make the day-long Hospitality Symposium and Curriculum Conclave on Monday at the Dr. TMA Pai Hall here memorable.

As the objective of the two events was to bring together the industry and academia to explore the changing paradigms and innovative practices within the realmsof hospitality, and, to discuss a contemporary curriculum to meet international standards, the alumni as resource persons provided the students with information they need to take with them as they move into the industry from here.

The Symposium, inaugurated by Dr PLNG Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor, Quality Assurance MAHE had speakers who have made it big in the industry after going through the grind here. Therefore, every word they spoke mattered to the students.

JuggyMarwaha (Executive Managing Director, JLL India, Bengaluru) inspired the audience with variety of positive attitudes which even helped him to switch from hospitality to real estate industry. Prof. KingshukBhadury (Freelance Corporate Trainer & Consulting Professor, Symbiosis Group of Institutes, Pune) spoke on the importance of ‘3Ps’--“People, Process and Product” for building excellent customer relationships.

Manas Krishnamurthy (General Manager, ITC Windsor, Bengaluru) highlighted the importance of being passionate about something to excel in work and career.Preeti Birla Nair (Development Facilitator & self-employed with EMPURPLE, Mumbai) motivated the students with her own experiences.

In the Curriculum ConclaveDr.K. Ramnarayan, Vice President, Faculty Development and Alumni Relations, MAHE gave the opening remarks by mentioning the ‘3Cs’ of curriculum as, ‘Current, Connect and Comfort’ and distinguished between ‘planned, taught and learnt curriculum’. He even moderated a panel discussion and Q & A round in which faculty and students took part.

Experts for the discussion were:  Dr. Swarup Sinha (Principal ITC - Hospitality Management Institute); Prof. (Dr.) Jaykumar (Faculty of Management Studies, PES University, Bangalore); Prof. P. Sen Thamizhan (Principal, Army Institute of Hotel Management, Bangalore); Mr. Arul Mani (General Manager, Executive Education, Taj Group of Hotels); Antara Bhadury, Banking & Soft Skill Trainer, NIIT Institute of Finance Banking and Insurance, Pune; Prof. KingshukBhadury; Ms. Preeti Birla Nair andManas Krishnamurthy.

Dr. Vidya Patwardhan (Associate Professor) highlighted the preamble of the conclave and said it wasin tune with the strategic vision of MAHE. Subjects like hotel security, wellness, retention and reputation management and conflict and crisis management canbe added along with simulations, role-plays and gamificationin all operational subjects.

Chef Thirugnanasambantham K, Principal, WGSHAassured to incorporate all the suggestions with effect from the next academic session. “The outcomes of the conclave will surely contribute in redefining the curricular aspects to meet global milestones of hospitality education and would certainly benefit all the involved stakeholders,” he said.