The entire teaching approach at Chitkara School of Hospitality (CSH) is about active learning, which involves enhancement of knowledge and skills, and understanding through practical experience. Our students continuously participate and partner with individual faculty members in enrichment experiences of discovery, service and professional learning.
Chitkara University (CU) academic programs in hotel management enjoy a high reputation in the industry, and to maintain our leadership position we focus on inducting only the best faculty from across the industry. Our faculty members are known for their strong academic orientation, which contributes to creation of knowledge in a dynamic, ever-changing environment. Our faculty brings their broad-based experience into the classroom to enrich students’ learning experience, and to ensure that coursework reflects current industry practices.
Several members of our teaching faculty have joined us after working in the hotel and hospitality industries for a long period. This helps them provide to our students a rare mix of competence in both the theoretical aspects of the subject and working knowledge of its practical aspects.
At CSH, we believe that the best way to learn is by “doing”, and that is why we emphasize a hands-on approach—as is required by the curriculum specified by National Council for Hotel Management & Catering Technology (NCHMCT). The dynamic and rapidly evolving field of hospitality is an area of study that encompasses a broad spectrum of theoretical and practical topics.
The world today demands practical education, and in addition to textbook knowledge one also needs to stay abreast of the latest trends and developments in the industry. At CSH, students benefit from a plethora of corporate tie-ups, seminars, internships, guest lectures and conferences, and learn directly from luminiaries of the industry.
We lay considerable and significant emphasis on design and project work. Projects lay stress on the need for independent thinking and encourage students to get involved in interesting projects. Further, a significant increase in the open category credits has enabled students to have a broader base and pursue interests and develop expertise in other areas such as management, entrepreneurship, computing, service marketing etc. An example in this context is our recent collaborative program with Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department of Punjab State Government on the project of Farm Tourism. CSH has adopted four districts in the region to provide professional support to such entrepreneurs as selected by the Tourism Department.
At CSH, we understand that our graduates are the foundation of the very dynamic hospitality and tourism industry of the country. We also know that an active academic–industry interface is required to achieve the goal of producing “industry ready” recruits, who are well-rounded and quick learners. We take a lot of information about industry-oriented topics, courseware for industry specific subjects and students projects from academic platforms. We regularly organize guest lectures of CEOs, hotel professional, entrepreneurs and human resource (HR) managers from large and medium-sized hospitality companies. They come to our campus and provide inside information to our students on latest industry trends and developments.
CSH has two academic blocks with more than 15 classrooms. These comfortable rooms are equipped with the latest in information and communications technology, and provide an environment that conducive to learning. Lecture halls, tutorial rooms, discussion rooms and seminar halls provide suitable support for academic activity in the blocks.
The Quantity Food Kitchen (QFK) prepares and mouldes the students to face the challenges of cooking for large groups and catering to the wide variety of people representing different culinary zones of India. In QFK, the students are put on an arduous journey on the Indian spice trail so that justice is done to the various pre-operational methods of a variety of delicacies.
Soon after returning from a period of hectic hands-on industrial training in various departments of hotel industry, the trained students of the final year get to unleash their combined skills and knowledge in the Advanced Training Kitchen (ATK). This is where these budding professionals are fine-polished to prove their mettle in the industry, and are trained in the planning and preparation of Indian, Oriental and Western cuisines.
The Bakery and Confectionery Department at CSH trains the students to become adept in the art of making exotic breads and confectionery itmes such as puddings, cakes and ice creams.
Housekeeping—the backbone of the hotel industry—is responsible for the cleanliness, maintenance and aesthetic appeal of the industry. Housekeeping engages more manpower—of course, to accomplish its share of countless functions—than is done by the other departments in this industry. The range of skills required of a housekeeper is so extensive that it can be mastered only after several years of on-the-job training.
Therefore, the students are put through practical training in the School’s “Mock- Guest Room ”, or the model guest room. All students are trained in bed-making, cleaning and maintenance of the Guest Room, including the cleanliness of public areas. The art of flower arrangement and interior decoration, which plays an integral part in the hotel industry, is also taught to them. It is a major department that holds a significant sway over the revenue of the hotel. The complex management of guests’ laundry, uniform of all members of the staff and the multitude of linen and guest-room supplies are integral parts of the syllabi. The motto of this department is to make a guest feel at “a home away from home”.
Front office—also known as the heart of the hotel—is the first as well as the last point of contact with the guests. The School laboratory has a well-decorated lobby, reception area and lounge where students are trained in receiving information, billing, guest registration and guest relations. In addition, a lot of emphasis is laid on communication skills, social skills, oratory skills and handling of different type of situations through role-plays, mock reservations, and mock check-in and check-out procedures. Training on the latest systems and softwares is also imparted to students to ensure they excel in the front office department of the service industry.
CSH offers a computer laboratory that is well-equipped with the latest systems and advanced softwares. Students can make use of the opportunity to update themselves with the current trend in the industry. Although all students—who are divided into different batches for the purpose—are allotted individual time to work on the computers, extra computer time, as required, is also provided. An exhaustive collection of e-books and e-magazines is also available to help the students to keep track of the latest trends in the world of information technology.
Cooking with wine and flaming with brandy and rum are no more an incident but a regular happening here. The mock bar at the School is used for training the students in the art of conjuring up delicious mocktails, and other concocted beverages. Spirits, champagne and cocktails are part of the daily routine of student at CSH, and they are trained to serve at a wide range of gatherings—from high-end presidential dinners to the more more casual private parties. The emphasis is on understanding and performing the fundamentals of food and beverages services, and learning to pay attention to the needs of guests so as to deal with various situations. This is done through face-to-face encounters during practice sessions.
Effective communication skills are as important—if not more—as any other skill in this industry, and at CSH this fact is duly acknowledged, and sincerely addressed. The well-equipped Language Laboratory at the School uses various softwares to conduct English language practice sessions through different speaking and listening modules.
Faculty and administration at CSH recognize the important link between theory and practice in the hospitality sector. Consequently, every possible effort is made to assist students make a smooth transition from classroom to career in this new global community.
Unit No. A 201-202
Elante Mall Office Complex
Industrial Area Phase 1
Chandigarh 160 002
Chandigarh-Patiala National Highway
Punjab 140 401
