The Hindu Business Line : UEI Global setting up hotel management institute

New Delhi, Dec. 7 UEI Global, an education company, is firming up plans to set up institutes to address the requirements in the hospitality sector. Backed by a $12-million investment from Berggruen Holdings, the company has collaborated with internationally recognised hospitality management institute — HotelSchool The Hague — to develop fast-track programmes in hospitality education.

It is also in the process of firming up plans to set up a hotel management institute. The school, to be set up in Rajasthan at an estimated investment of Rs 25 crore, will offer a four-year degree programme in the hospitality industry. “HotelSchool will bring in global capabilities in the new school to be set up in Jaipur. The management school is a result of a tripartite agreement between UEI Global, HotelSchool, The Hague and SMS Investments. The design and content of the curriculum has been designed for career building and skill enhancing. This apart, it has also tied up for fast-track courses,” Mr Jaap PFM Funnekotter, General Manager, HotelSchool The Hague, told Business Line.

“The blueprint for the management school is ready and it is likely to be operational by 2009,” he said adding the first batch will have 90 students. Speaking on the fast-track courses, Mr Ashish Kesharwani, Head (Hospitality), UEI Global, said two such institutes have already been opened in Delhi and Noida. Three more institutes will be launched in Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram and Pune. The group hopes to scale up to 50 institutes across the country by 2009, he added.

There is a mismatch in the demand-supply ratio in the country. According to estimates, the industry needs about two lakh trained professionals, whereas the supply is in the order of 35,000. The fast-track courses will hone the skills of the students through engaging delivery modules in areas such as rooms division, food preparation and bar-tending services, he added.