What is that the students and parents look while selecting an institute? The majority will agree the desired institute must have a reputable brand image, legacy of decades, excellent alumni base, perfect placements, welcoming atmosphere, and supportive staff.

In our crusade of The 10 Best Culinary Institutes in India,2020, we came across such an institute that exhibits these features. We would like to introduce the Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration (WGSHA). Established in 1986, WGSHA is a constituent unit of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education. At present, the institute is a preferred name among India’s premier Hotel Management Institutes.

Quick Reasons to opt for WGSHA

• Partnered with ITC Hotels
• Accredited by Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA) and World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS)
• Unprecedented Industry Connection
• Best Faculty
• Top of the line Curriculum
• Work-Integrated Learning
• Outcome-based Education
• Only College in India to Offer Wine Certification
• Student Felicitation Programme
• Excellent Internship Opportunities
• Diversity
• Industry Immersion Programme
• Worldwide Work Opportunities
• Strong Alumni Base

An Erudite Principal

WGSHA’s Principal, Chef K. Thirugnanasambantham, an enthusiast of gastronomy has over 29 years of experience in industry and academia. Recognized for his proficiency in the industry, Mr. Thirugnanasambantham has mentored young culinary professionals in India.

Mr. Thirugnanasambantham graduated from the Bharathiyar University, Coimbatore. Later, he pursued Catering Technology from IHM-Chennai. Subsequently, he started his career with Taj Group Hotels in 1990, in Chennai. From thereon, he worked for eight years within the hotel industry.

Afterward, with a move to academics, joining WGSHA in 2000, he started to share his knowledge. With such a vast experience, his passion for sharing, and his expertise allowed him to rise through the ranks in WGSHA. Under his able guidance, WGSHA, Manipal, constituted the Department of Culinary Arts in the year 2011. And today, it is one of the best culinary schools in the world.

Curriculum Built for Students

At WGSHA, the pedagogy and learning experiences ensure that the students learn with open opportunities. As such, the school imparts quality education through its undergraduate and postgraduate programs. This includes Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM); Bachelor of Arts (Culinary Arts); Master of Hotel Management (MHM); MSc. (Indian Cuisine & Food Culture); and MSc. (Dietetics & Applied Nutrition).

The institute also offers certification programmes including Sommelier Certifications Level I & II from International Sommelier Guild (ISG) as part of its undergraduate curriculum.

To strengthen students’ skillset, the college runs a restaurant ‘Classic Café, a student-run pastry shop ‘Ministry of Bakery’ (MOB), and a Gourmet Store of food products on the campus.

Further, several clubs such as Cultural Club, Sports Club, Digital and Social Media Club, Adventure Club, Tourism and Cultural Heritage Club, Gastronomy Club, Mad Over Baking Club, Wine and Spirits Club, Volunteer Service Organization (VSO), etc. are in place to facilitate students’ co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.

For students at a financial disadvantage, the school offers an ITC Fellowship worth 4.5 Lakhs each year to meritorious students. It also offers a scholarship for the pupils from the Academy of General Education (SAGE), employees’ children, and Konkani speaking students.

Coming to career front, after successful course completion, aspirants can work in Hotels and Restaurants, Tourism and Allied Services, Retail, Hospitals, Sports and Government Departments, Aviation, etc. They can also pursue higher studies or start their own entrepreneurial ventures.

Graduates also receive a degree from MAHE, an Institute of Eminence (IOE) awarded by the Government of India. Other qualifications include WFCL-1 &2 certifications from ISG, Skill Certifications from City & Guilds, UK, and MOOC Certifications from Coursera.

For such a robust curriculum and academic excellence, the industry has regularly recognized the institute for its efforts. Consequently, the institute has been ranked:

• 1 as Supreme Hotel Management Institute of India by the Global Human Resource Development Centre consecutively for the last eleven years
• 2 among Top 50 Colleges in Hotel Management in India by The Week – Hansa Research – Best Colleges Survey 2019
• 2 among The Top 10 Hotel Management Colleges in India in Outlook- Drshti India’s Top Professional College Rankings 2019
• 2 among The Top 10 Hotel Management Colleges by India Today- MDRA Best Colleges Ranking 2019

Legacy for Tomorrow

The college will continue to refine its philosophy on education and curriculum to achieve academic excellence, internationalization, research capabilities, and employer reputation. According to the institute, leveraging the potential of alumni as teachers will remain a key area of its pedagogy.

From the year 2020, WGSHA will be the first and only college in India to offer a two-year PG programme in Indian Cuisine and Food Culture, MA (Indian Cuisine & Food Culture).

Recognizing the need for a PG programme in hospitality, WGSHA will launch its Master of Hotel Management (MHM) programme from July 2020. The aim is to provide a hospitality management education with a programme of study that caters to the needs of graduates. This will make students upgrade their professional skills to enhance their careers. It will also prepare undergraduates for career advancement in various hospitality-related professional areas.

Visit ww.manipal.edu/wgsha.html to know more.