KOLKATA, India :  In a significant milestone towards enhancing the education in the hospitality field, Accor and the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at IIHM’s prestigious Global Campus in Salt Lake, Kolkata. The MoU establishes a long- term collaborative relationship of providing enhanced hospitality education and empowering students with employment opportunities throughout India.

Formally executed by Puneet Dhawan, Senior Vice President, Operations, Accor India & South Asia and Dr. Suborno Bose, Founder and CEO of IIHM, the partnership brings together one of the world’s largest hospitality companies with the world’s preeminent hospitality education brand, to promote mutually beneficial ties.

Puneet Dhawan, Senior Vice President Operations, Accor India & South Asia, shared his thoughts on this transformative alliance, saying, “Our partnership with IIHM represents a significant step towards nurturing future talents within the hospitality sector. We are dedicated to empowering young minds with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the dynamic world of hospitality.”

Dr. Suborno Bose, Founder and CEO of IIHM, talks about the historic collaboration by stating, “Becoming a top professional in the hospitality industry is a journey that requires dedication, education and hands on experience. The partnership with Accor India is a testament to our commitment to providing students with the best education and industry exposure. Together, we are crafting the future of hospitality, where education meets excellence.”

IIHM will be offering 1-Year Certificate/Diploma course, including industrial training and exams, in accordance with Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) and the, Government of India requirement, with the courses being offered in Delhi NCR, Kolkata, Bangalore, Pune, Goa, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Hyderabad.

Accor will provide essential inputs to IIHM to support the design of the industry-relevant curriculum, offering industrial training opportunities, delivering guest lectures, facilitating faculty development programs, providing internships and placements in Accor-managed hotels, and providing operational exposure across its properties in India.

This collaboration between IIHM and Accor holds great promise for the future of hospitality industry in India, emphasizing on education, skill development, industry engagement, and most importantly, providing future talent with real-world exposure to the hospitality industry.