As hospitality education in India evolves to meet the dynamic demands of a global industry, Mahindra University’s School of Hospitality is the new kid on the block. At the helm is the Dean of the School of Hospitality, Chef Thirugnanasambantham K, whose vision and leadership are shaping a new generation of hospitality professionals equipped with innovation, empathy, and international competence. In this exclusive interview, we speak with the Dean to explore the school’s unique academic philosophy, industry collaborations, and the future of hospitality education in India.
Can you share your journey in hospitality education and what inspired you to take up the role of Dean at Mahindra University?
With over three and a half decades in hospitality, including eight formative years in the industry and the rest in academia, my journey has been one of continuous learning, nurturing talent, and building institutions. I had the privilege of serving as the Principal of WGSHA, Manipal, where I contributed to shaping it into one of India’s premier hospitality schools. The opportunity to join Mahindra University as the Founding Dean was both a professional milestone and a personal mission. What drew me in was the chance to build a future-forward, globally benchmarked School of Hospitality Management from the ground up.
What is your vision for the School of Hospitality Management at Mahindra University? How does the school align its academic philosophy with the broader goals of Mahindra University?
Our vision is to cultivate globally competent, socially conscious hospitality leaders who are equipped not just with technical expertise but with entrepreneurial and leadership mindsets. At SOHM, we are embedding interdisciplinarity, sustainability, and innovation into the curriculum, directly aligning with Mahindra University’s commitment to creating “Future-Ready” professionals across domains. We emphasise learning that is immersive, impactful, and industry-aligned.
What differentiates the hospitality management program at Mahindra University from others in India?
We offer India’s first truly interdisciplinary B.Sc. (Hons.) program in Culinary and Hospitality Management. Our program seamlessly blends hospitality, culinary arts, entrepreneurship, AI, nutrition science, financial management, and even pharmacology, while introducing niche and future-relevant subjects like Hospitality Asset and Investment Management, Integrative Nutrition, Culinary Biotechnology, Mergers & Acquisitions, Microeconomics, and the Experience Economy. We go beyond the conventional service curriculum by incorporating SDG-aligned modules, future-centric electives, and global collaborations that prepare students to thrive not only in hotels but across the entire spectrum of the hospitality and lifestyle sectors.
Can you talk about how you integrate real-world learning and industry exposure into the academic structure?
Our approach is rooted in experiential learning. Every semester includes live kitchens, service labs, hotel simulations, pop-up restaurants, industry internships, and faculty trials. Situated in Hyderabad—a city with a buzzing and rapidly evolving Food & Beverage industry—our students benefit from wide-ranging real-time learning opportunities beyond the classroom. Our signature course, “Business to Blueprint,” challenges students to conceptualise and pitch viable hospitality ventures. Industry experts regularly engage with students through masterclasses, capstone evaluations, and board-level curriculum reviews, ensuring both relevance and academic rigour.
What kind of partnerships do you have with hotels and hospitality brands? Are there any upcoming initiatives, collaborations, or programs you would like to highlight?
We are actively building strategic partnerships with top-tier hotel groups in India and overseas, including collaborations with Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd. On the academic front, we have formalised partnerships with globally renowned institutions such as CAST Alimenti (Italy), Swiss Hotel Management School, Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland, Conrad N Hilton College of Global Hospitality Management, the University of Houston, and Virginia Tech (USA) to offer international academic pathways
How are you nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship among your students?
At the School of Hospitality Management, we believe that hospitality is the new entrepreneurship. Our academic framework is designed to cultivate creative disruptors—students who are equipped to launch novel concepts in food, wellness, and service industries.
By integrating design thinking, business modelling, and sustainable innovation, we prepare our students to develop scalable ventures that are globally competitive yet rooted in the Indian ethos. Mentorship from industry leaders and incubation support further empower students to bring their ideas to market. This aligns with our larger commitment to contribute to a self-reliant, innovation-driven Viksit Bharat, where the next generation of hospitality professionals leads change at local, national, and international levels.
Do you see emerging technologies like AI, AR/VR, or blockchain influencing hospitality education in the near future?
Absolutely. We have already begun integrating modules on AI in Hospitality, and we foresee immersive technologies like AR/VR playing a key role in training simulations, virtual site visits, and service modelling. Blockchain has potential applications in guest authentication, supply chain traceability, and loyalty ecosystems—concepts we aim to familiarise our students with early in their academic journey.
In your view, what are the top three trends that will shape the future of hospitality in India over the next decade?
By 2030, India’s hospitality sector will be shaped by three transformative trends: AI-driven personalization, enabling hyper-customized guest experiences and operational efficiency; sustainability and conscious tourism, with rising demand for eco-friendly, wellness-focused travel; and the rise of domestic tourism, fuelled by a growing middle class and increased travel to Tier II and III cities.
How do you see the role of hospitality education evolving to meet the demands of a globalized service economy?
Hospitality education is rapidly evolving to meet the demands of a globalized, service-centric economy. It must move beyond traditional hotel operations and embrace sectors like lifestyle, healthcare, eldercare, tech, and experience design. The future calls for multi-skilled, emotionally intelligent professionals who can adapt across industries and cultures. At the School of Hospitality Management, Mahindra University, we are preparing students to thrive in this expanded landscape—equipping them with tools to lead in AI-powered service models, build sustainable ecosystems, and drive purpose-led, experience-driven enterprises that reflect the changing face of global hospitality.
What advice would you give to aspiring hospitality professionals entering the industry today?
Stay curious, be adaptable, and lead with empathy. The industry rewards those who bring heart to their work but also understand analytics, branding, and business acumen. Hospitality is no longer confined to brick-and-mortar hotels—it is now about creating moments, experiences, and impact across cultures and platforms.
How does being a part of the Mahindra Group ecosystem provide an edge to the school and its students?
Being part of the Mahindra Group, one of India’s most respected global conglomerates, brings immense strategic advantage. From potential internships and placements across the Mahindra Hospitality verticals to mentorship by industry leaders, students benefit from a worldwide network and a brand deeply committed to transformational education, sustainability, and leadership.