By Mewati Sitaram
FHRAI Institute of Hospitality Management (FHRAI-IHM) stands as a testament to innovation and foresight in the realm of hospitality education. Established in 2005 by the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), FHRAI-IHM is the second hospitality education initiative of its kind globally, following in the footsteps of the Singapore Hotel Association. It proudly holds the distinction of being the first initiative by any association to run a full-fledged hospitality degree offering institute.
The institute commenced its operations in 2005, under an MOU with Lausanne Hospitality Consultant, Switzerland, offering a four-year diploma program in hospitality management. This collaboration paved the way for a period of significant growth and development. However, in 2011, the association decided to chart a new course, leading to the termination of the partnership with Lausanne Hospitality.
In 2021, FHRAI made the strategic decision to relaunch FHRAI-IHM, this time affiliating it with the National Council for Hotel Management (NCHM), Noida, an organization under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. This affiliation, encompassing approximately 70 institutes of hotel management in the government and private sectors, marked a significant milestone for FHRAI-IHM.
Arun Kumar Singh, the director of the institute, spearheaded this revitalization effort, leveraging his extensive 26-year experience in establishing and managing Institutes of Hotel Management across various cities in India, including Jodhpur, Lucknow, and Mumbai.
Since his appointment in March 2021, Mr. Singh has overseen a remarkable transformation within a short span of time. FHRAI-IHM swiftly revamped its training programs, infrastructure, and curriculum to align with the standards set by NCHM, Noida.
Today, FHRAI-IHM stands as a non-profit organization with an initial investment of 22 crores, situated on a sprawling 7-acre campus in the educational hub of Knowledge Park, Greater Noida. The institute is now affiliated with NCHM, Noida, offering a three-year B.Sc. in Hospitality and Hotel Administration program with 100 seats, along with a diploma in food production with 40 seats.
One of the institute’s key objectives is to groom young talent for lucrative careers in the hospitality industry while fulfilling the industry’s demand for skilled manpower. FHRAI-IHM places a strong emphasis on holistic development, offering intensive training in areas such as attitude, personality, communication, and management aspects like marketing, human resource management, and hospitality finance.
The institute’s efforts have borne fruit, as evidenced by the successful placement of its inaugural batch in esteemed hotel chains such as Taj Group, Oberoi Hotels, ITC Hotels, Radisson Hotels, IHG Hotels, Lodhi Hotel, and Park Hotel, among others.
As FHRAI-IHM completes its third year of operation, it has already carved a niche for itself in the hospitality industry. With a dedicated faculty and the unwavering support of FHRAI, the institute is poised to emerge as a prominent leader in hospitality management education in the near future.
In conclusion, FHRAI Institute of Hospitality Management exemplifies FHRAI’s commitment to excellence and innovation in nurturing the next generation of hospitality professionals. With a vision to continually excel and evolve, FHRAI-IHM is set to make significant contributions to the hospitality industry’s growth and development in India and beyond.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
