Degree and diploma courses in hotel management and catering technology seem to be growing in popularity, going by the admission trends in institutions in Tiruchi.

At the State Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (SIHMCT) in Thuvakudi, admissions have been good. The institutions offers 90 seats in B.Sc Hospitality and Hotel Administration; 120 seats in Diploma in Food Production; 90 in Craftsmanship Courses in Food Production; and 60 seats in Diploma in Bakery and Confectionery.

“We are expecting to fill all seats this year, as the response has been quite good from students in and around Tiruchi district. So far, 70 students have joined the B.Sc course. The Diploma in Bakery and Confectionery has become popular as it caters to the demand area in the industry currently in terms of wages and is an easy pathway for overseas employment. At present 90 students have been admitted to the diploma programmes,” SIHMCT principal Sridhar Pennugonda told The Hindu.

The syllabus, evolved by the National Institute for Hotel Management and Catering Technology, under the auspices of the Central Ministry of Tourism, is aligned with the New Education Policy 2020, and has been upgraded to include aspects such as smart classrooms and artificial intelligence (AI) in pedagogy.

The Institute of Hotel Management, SRM Institute of Science and Technology has made AI a part of the syllabus, allowing students to explore patenting of their subject-related innovations. “We have filled 120 seats for the undergraduate degree course this year. Around 25 admissions have been confirmed for the diploma programmes, and more are expected by July. As the hospitality sector is growing globally, trained staff are in great demand. Students are given exposure to the various departments within hotel management and catering, to optimise their skill sets,” said J. Prince Antony, vice-principal.

“Post-COVID, students from rural areas are coming in larger numbers to study hotel management. We give importance to both theoretical and practical learning,” A. Paalvannan, principal, Jenney’s Academy of Hospitality Management, said.

The institute, a collaborative academy of Alagappa University, Karaikudi, offers three-year B.Sc and diploma programmes in Catering and Hotel Administration, besides short-term Craft Courses in Food Production. So far, as many as 30 students have joined its B.Sc programme, out of a total intake of 60.

Academicians also point out that though there is a high demand for hotel management student interns, the stipends offered to them by hotels are far below expectations. “While standalone hotels may give around ₹10,000 per month to interns, the bigger chains in the hospitality sector pay only ₹3,000-₹.7,000. Educational institutions have been representing this issue to the authorities, to stop the exploitation of interns,” said Mr. Paalvannan.