Acknowledging the importance of possessing a Degree by its hospitality students, the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology – NCHMCT has renewed its pledge by extending its MoU with Indira Gandhi National Open University – IGNOU for its 3-year B.Sc. and 2-year M.Sc. Programs for a period of five years.
The MoU was signed between the two organisations in New Delhi in the presence of Union Tourism Minister Sh. K. Chiranjeevi. The collaboration between the two national bodies began in the year 2002 and has grown from strength to strength for the benefit of the student community, especially for those who wish to pursue higher education in India and abroad.
Through the collaborative arrangement, students pursue five theory subjects offered by IGNOU and thirty-four subjects taught through full-time institute laboratory and classroom learning in the various operational aspects of hospitality, to qualify for a 3-year B.Sc. Degree which is conferred by IGNOU. The IGNOU representatives are also involved during the Joint-Entrance Examination – JEE conducted by NCHMCT on an All India basis.
The annual academic schedules, orientation programs for faculty and other such activities are monitored through a Joint Co-ordination Committee – JCC comprising IGNOU and NCHMCT officials which meets periodically. Head of the School of Tourism and Hospitality Services Management – SOTHSM at IGNOU is in-charge of the program and handles its affairs through appointment of IGNOU Co-ordinators at each of the NCHMCT affiliated Institute of Hotel Management. The IGNOU periodically broadcasts specialized programs, conducted by experts, for IHM students through its Gyan Darshan TV Channel and through EDUSAT, its educational satellite. Under the joint collaboration, each year approximately 7000 students are enrolled for the 1st year of the B.Sc. program, while 15000 students pursue the course annually in the three different years of the program.
The student community has greatly benefited from this arrangement as they are now able to pursue not only higher education in the form of specialized Master programs, either in hospitality or in management, through Indian and Foreign Universities, but also secure respectable jobs in different fields other than in the hospitality sector. There is a constant endeavour to improve academic administration and curriculum upgradation through involvement of faculty from both the institutions. Periodic orientation programmes are also organized for the benefit of faculty members.
The fresh renewal of MoU will provide greater recognition to the hospitality programme in the country, which is witnessing major tourism growth and consequently requires large number of trained personnel.