WGSHA believes in holistic development of students through simulations and event management and structured workshops on soft skills

Established in 1986 as a unit of Dr TMA Pai Foundation in partnership with the Hotels Division of ITC Ltd, Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration (WGSHA) is a constituent of Manipal Academy of Higher Education. WGSHA believes in holistic development of students through simulations and event management, structured workshops on soft skills like communication, interpersonal skills, problem-solving capacity etc. Food festivals, conferences, experiential projects, physical and recreational activities, adventure sports and cultural performances are encouraged at the institution. Today, WGSHA is India’s premier hotel management institute and it has been ranked 26th among the Best Hospitality and Hotel Management Schools in the world 2020 by CEOWORLD magazine.

The faculty, many being PhDs, is an excellent blend of academic experience and industry exposure. Curriculum conclaves are held with all stakeholders at regular intervals. Welcomgroup Entrepreneurial Development Cell (WEDC) promotes entrepreneurship among students while Public Private Partnership through Student and Faculty Mobility Programmes are conducted with NCHMCT. The college uses CESIM Hospitality Simulation Software for experiencing operational decision-making while Oracle Opera and Fortune Next PMS have been installed for students’ practical learning. The college has subscribed to STR Share Centre for receiving industry statistics. Faculty and students are continuously engaged in publishing and research work supported by a large collection of digital learning resources. 

“At regular intervals, the alumni of WGSHA conducts workshops and seminars at the institution and also interact during the alumni meets which are organised in many cities. Celebrity chef and distinguished alumnus Vikas Khanna has donated a Culinary Museum, listed by Limca Book of Records as India’s First Living Culinary Arts Museum at WGSHA. The college has a student-run restaurant ‘Classic Café, a pastry shop ‘Ministry of Bakery’ (MOB) and a Gourmet Store of food products in campus,” says Dr Chef K Thirugnanasambantham, Principal, WGSHA. 

WGSHA offers several undergraduate and postgraduate programmes including:

Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM) aimed to provide students a strong base of knowledge, skills and attitudes required for employability and leadership roles in Hospitality sector. 

Bachelor of Arts (Culinary Arts) aims to provide aspiring culinary professionals a globally benchmarked educational experience and qualification that focusses on hands-on-training.

Master of Hotel Management (MHM) – This programme provides professional and managerial expertise in hotel management with special emphasis in Revenue Management and Sales & Marketing. 

MA (Indian Cuisine and Food Culture) – This hands-on, skill oriented intense curriculum focusses on Indian traditional and regional cuisines.

MSc (Dietetics and Applied Nutrition) – The postgraduate programme in Dietetics & Applied Nutrition enhances knowledge and skills in clinical nutrition.

WGSHA also offers certification programmes like Wine Appreciation Programmes and courses from City & Guilds, UK. 

For the next year, WGSHA have lined up many new projects like Language Café, Food Truck, Hydroponic Vegetable, Curriculum review on new National Education Policy (NEP) etc. “Shifting to a new building with latest facilities and technologies will be complemented by launching of a book titled Lived Experiences of Hospitality Connoisseurs: Short Case Studies,” informs Dr Thirugnanasambantham.

WGSHAs unique strength is the MAHE-ITC Ltd professional collaboration, benchmarking industry-academia partnership in hotel management education. “We strongly believe that this partnership is really the core that differentiates us in the market. The college is approved by AICTE, accredited by Indian Federation of Culinary Associations, World Association of Chefs’ Societies and Hotel Schools of Distinction, USA. WGSHA is the first and only HSD accredited college in Asia-Pacific region and is certified by FSSAI,” he says.

Internationally, WGSHA has academic partnerships with Cast Alimenti, Italy, Culinary Arts Academy of Switzerland, Swiss Hotel Management School, The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, UAE, George Brown College, Canada and HRC Culinary Academy, Bulgaria.

This article was published in BW hotelier issue dated '' with cover story titled 'BW HOTELIER - 8TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL'