IIHM and Marriott India launch the IIHM-Marriott Learning Classroom at IIHM’s Global Campus in Kolkata

The IIHM-Marriott Learning Classroom was inaugurated in a grand ceremony at the International Institute of Hotel Management’s (IIHM) Global Campus in Salt Lake, Kolkata on 20 July. The event was held in the presence of Gaurav Singh, Market Vice President, South & East India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Marriott International; Lizanne Pinto, Area Director of Human Resources, South & East India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka; Dr Suborno Bose, CEO and Founder of IIHM; and Sanjukta Bose, Co-Founder, IIHM. This initiative is intended to benefit students in providing them with world-class facilities as they pursue their career in hospitality.

Last year, on 11 May 2022, IIHM and Marriott International signed an MoU to enhance the industrial learning of IIHM students. Over the past one year, IIHM and Marriott have worked together tirelessly to transform that vision into reality. The result is the state-of-the-art IIHM-Marriott Learning Classroom at IIHM’s Global Campus in Kolkata. This partnership will see IIHM students gain valuable insights from industry leaders even as Marriott will gain access to a valuable talent pool to turbo charge its growth story in India. The state-of-the-art IIHM Global Campus will train IIHM students teaching them integral dynamics necessary to make them industry-ready professionals as soon as they enter the workforce.

On the occasion, the visionary founder of IIHM and the International Young Chef Olympiad, Dr Suborno Bose said: “The advantages of the IIHM-Marriott Learning Classroom extend far beyond the classroom. Students will have the unique opportunity to interact with seasoned professionals from Marriott.”

Dr Bose added: "IIHM and Marriott share a significant bond and the IIHM-Marriott Learning Class will strengthen the bond between us and help us to work closely. For the first time, such a structured arrangement has been put into place with a special classroom designed according to Marriott's guidelines. Our students will get a chance to do their internship at Marriott hotels across India and if selected post graduation, they will join the hotels."

Gaurav Singh, Market Vice President, South & East India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the Marriott International said, “The collaboration between IIHM and MI is intended to be immersive and provide partnership that extends beyond the classroom. Seasoned professionals within the organization will engage with the students providing insights and share their experiences on growing careers within the hospitality industry. The learning centre serves as a hub for innovation, students can collaborate on analyzing case studies, prepare projects, participate in meaningful discussions as well conduct workshops. With access to state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technology, students stand to really gain with the all-round development the curriculum will provide. By leveraging the expertise and global reach of both Marriott International and IIHM, this partnership sets new standards in hospitality education, thereby empowering students to thrive in an ever-evolving industry.”

At the IIHM, Marriott India will train the 2nd and 3rd year classes doing Bachelors and Diploma courses in Hospitality Management. They will provide mentorship, career guidance, guest lectures and assistance in project work to impart industry trends and enhance the learning experience of students. Further, students of IIHM will get first preference to be placed in Marriott hotels across India for their industrial training programmes.

With this collaboration, a world of opportunities has opened up for students studying hospitality management at the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM).

This one-of-a-kind partnership shows the path to the future of hospitality education in the world and sets new benchmarks for industry-academia partnerships.