Bhubaneswar: As the world of education was undergoing changes at a tremendous
speed, the need was to take a fresh look at conventional methods of learning and adapt to
current conditions which were different from the requirements a decade ago.
Keeping this in view, the School of Hotel Management (SHM), faculty of hospitality and
tourism management of the SOA Deemed to be University here, organised a virtual lecture series
titled ‘Connect 2 Learn’ recently focusing on the requirement to survive the Covid-19 pandemic.
The first lecture was on ‘Career Progression in Hospitality Industry’ with the objective of
equipping the students with the latest updates in the industry. The invited speakers included
Ms. Sireesha Chandana, Associate Vice-President, Learning, Development and Employee
Engagement,Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, who stressed that industry must adjust to the new
normal by tweaking the regular processes and activities.
“Social distancing being the need of the hour, our group have been working to ensure
that least human contact is required,” she said adding the ‘check-in and check-out’ formalities
were processed digitally.
Even the designs of the lobbies, restaurants and banquet had been altered while bringing
the restaurant home was projected as the new concept where guests could also order their
favourite dishes from iconic Taj Restaurants.
Mr. Sitarama Chandra Murthy, General Manager (Food and Beverages) Wonder Cement
Ltd, Udaypur and Prof. Sharada Ghosh, Principal, Institute of Hotel Management, Catering
Technology and Applied Nutrition, Bhubaneswar also shared their views. Prof. Sitikantha Mishra,
Advisor-cum-Dean, SHM, delivered the welcome address.
The second lecture was on ‘Re-engineering Skills for Hospitality Industry in the Changing
Scenario’ which was addressed by Chef Vivek Sagar, Head, Skill Competitions and Industry
Connect, Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council, New Delhi, Mr. Subroto Lahiri, Senior General
Manager, Coffee Day Global Ltd, Bengaluru and Dr. Deepa Prasad Venkatraman, Associate
Professor, Department of Management Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University.
SHM had also organised a seven part webinar on various subjects linked to the hospitality
industry earlier.
Prof. Sasmita Mohanty, Associate Professor and Prof. Mou Roy, Assistant Professor, SHM,
coordinated the two virtual lectures while Prof. Anshuman Samal, Associate Professor and Prof.
Sanghamitra, Assistant Professor, SHM proposed the vote of thanks.