I am a 58 years old hospitality educator with a total of 33 years experience together in the industry and academia. My hospitality career started way back in 1985 from Hyatt Regency, New Delhi, a signature hotel in the capital region of India since olden times.
After spending 15 years in the industry in the Front Office Operations, I decided to share my learning and experience with the future hoteliers as an educator. As an hospitality educator for nearly 2 decades, I have had a vivid experience by interacting with students of different caliber and potential.
I feel proud to see when my students grow, develop and prosper in their lives. In fact, I have been opportune to see an era of overall transition in teaching and learning; from traditional rote methodologies to smart classes and app based learning.
2. What is your opinion of the Indian education system and how would you like to change that?
Indian education system undoubtedly keeps us attached to our culture, customs and traditions. However, it does require a reform to be more industry oriented and employment driven rather than having only academic learning outcomes. We need to have smart assessment system through which we evaluate a child for his holistic growth.
2. What is your opinion of the Indian education system and how would you like to change that?
Indian education system undoubtedly keeps us attached to our culture, customs and traditions. However, it does require a reform to be more industry oriented and employment driven rather than having only academic learning outcomes. We need to have smart assessment system through which we evaluate a child for his holistic growth.
Examination scores should be a part of the final evaluation but definitely not the sole deciding factor of the student’s aptitude. There is a need to have an equal emphasis for scholastic and non - scholastic activities. In short, we should stop assessing the fish and an elephant on the same parameters.
3. What changes in the teaching methodologies have you seen in the recent times?
Although, there have been quite a few changes in the recent years in the teaching methodologies; Covid 19 pandemic proved to be another turning point in the field of education. It proved big time that ‘Change is the only Constant’ and it is important that we all adapt to it to both survive and revive.
3. What changes in the teaching methodologies have you seen in the recent times?
Although, there have been quite a few changes in the recent years in the teaching methodologies; Covid 19 pandemic proved to be another turning point in the field of education. It proved big time that ‘Change is the only Constant’ and it is important that we all adapt to it to both survive and revive.
While smart classes, Google research, accessibility to e- books has been in practice for quite a few years now but we were never 100% dependent on technology the way we are today. I truly believe that whatever happens is for the good and has definitely been learning for me as well.
4. How does education help one do well in their career?
Education forms the core of any human being. It is the very foundation on which the building of our future stands. Hence, stronger the foundation, more robust the future is. Education for me is not necessarily what a child learns in a school or college.
4. How does education help one do well in their career?
Education forms the core of any human being. It is the very foundation on which the building of our future stands. Hence, stronger the foundation, more robust the future is. Education for me is not necessarily what a child learns in a school or college.
Education is every small or big learning that influences our life. Our moral values, ethics, discipline and behavioral pattern, cultural ethos are all a part of education. One’s moral values, discipline and ethics significantly impact the altitude a child attains in his or her life.
5. Do you think teaching as a profession is viewed at par with corporate jobs?
Well, this question is more individualistic rather than generic in nature. In my opinion, a teacher is a second parent and considered next to God in our country. This indeed requires dedication, devotion, sincerity, authenticity and selflessness.
5. Do you think teaching as a profession is viewed at par with corporate jobs?
Well, this question is more individualistic rather than generic in nature. In my opinion, a teacher is a second parent and considered next to God in our country. This indeed requires dedication, devotion, sincerity, authenticity and selflessness.
We hardly get to see any of these in the corporate world. Hence, I consider teaching as a noble profession, much above other as we teachers nurture and develop the youngsters into a perfect industry fit.
6. How can we adopt technology to make teaching more effective?
Technology and digitization is the buzz word today and undoubtedly here to stay. We have adapted technology in teaching – learning process in many ways and expanding further will prove to be beneficial.
6. How can we adopt technology to make teaching more effective?
Technology and digitization is the buzz word today and undoubtedly here to stay. We have adapted technology in teaching – learning process in many ways and expanding further will prove to be beneficial.
Online learning is not impacted by physical presence and increases the accessibility to 24 /7. Instant approach, quick response, transparency, reduced paper work is few ways in which the tech based teaching has been effective.
7. Why does India need more educators like you?
India definitely needs more dedicated educators who can give their 100% to this profession. Knowledge experts who are willing to spread awareness and develop the upcoming generations into disciplined stalwarts are much needed by Indian education system.
7. Why does India need more educators like you?
India definitely needs more dedicated educators who can give their 100% to this profession. Knowledge experts who are willing to spread awareness and develop the upcoming generations into disciplined stalwarts are much needed by Indian education system.
I feel honored and blessed to have this opportunity and will continue to delicately and selflessly serve in this profession.
Dean - School of Hotel Management Catering & Tourism, IIMT University, Meerut
- Interview By - Sanjana Jain
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