Curriculum development, approval and implementation is very long and complex process in Indian education system. We took year after year to do the process and by the time we are ready to implement by developing module, lesson plan, method of delivery and update faculty for changes, the relevance of that changes/ upgradation is lost.
In Cornell School of Hospitality Administration, U.S.A. in our visit in 2013 we were surprised to see that faculty of the subject need to upgrade their curriculum, content, method of delivery every year after 6 months Industry / research experience thus making the curriculum fit to the need and that keeps faculty on toes all the time.
We also need to simplify the process of curriculum development in our setup with the inclusion of several capsule of knowledge as minors (Additional knowledge) like Retail Mgmt, service marketing, luxury, hospitality consultancy cloud kitchen, fast food setup and operation, bar setup and operation, revenue Mgmt, digital marketing, hospitality HR, cruise catering, hospital catering and industrial catering and so on.
Online mode of teaching needed to preferred for certain subjects with its implication in hospitality operation. Teaching all subjects that too in classroom must to avoided. Self-learning is to be infused in a scientific and acceptable manner as it is lifelong asset. Case study, problem solving must to added in curriculum to develop that mindset among students.
So many steps are needed to be taken in a situation where students are loosing interest in Hospitality Management year after year is unforeseen situation needed immediate attention and swift action to check the drop in enrolment first then thereafter continuous well thought digital and social media marketing with online / physical sessions with probable students.
All these actions needed clear mind,unified direction from all stakeholders’ holders otherwise we all are heading to the phase of darkest hospitality education and employment. Industry also can’t keep their eyes closed and wait for the outcome. They need to do their bit in larger scenario.
Contributed by Mr. Arun Singh, Director at FHRAI- IHM on LinkedIn.