The National Council for Hotel Management & Catering Technology (NCHMCT) is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Its primary goal is to provide quality education and training to students interested in pursuing careers in the hospitality, Culinary and tourism sectors.
One of NCHMCT’s flagship programs is its B.Sc programme in hospitality and hotel administration, which is a three-year undergraduate degree course. This degree is highly regarded and recognized both nationally and internationally, and many students aspire to join this program.
For several years, the NCHMCT has been searching for a regular university to serve as a certifying partner for its degree and postgraduate degree courses. This search has come to an end with the announcement that Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi will be the certifying university for NCHMCT’s B.Sc program in hospitality and hotel administration, as well as its M.Sc in hospitality administration program. This is a significant achievement for the NCHMCT, as JNU is a highly respected university in India and internationally, and this partnership will provide a significant boost to the credibility and recognition of NCHMCT’s flagship programs.
Senior principal of one of the prestigious IHM, said, “The students as well as recruiters were confused. Even students faced issueswhile approaching for education loans. Certain banks were reluctant to extend loans to students.”
The principal of an IHM, said, “Students were not getting proper credit for their degrees when they went for higher studies abroad. With JNU recognition, the weightage will definitely improve and also the trust level for IHM degrees globally,”
Although there has been no official announcement from either party about the partnership, the NCHMCT has highlighted the new recognition in their prospectus for the NCHM-JEE exam in an unambiguous way. The prospectus makes it clear that the 3-year B.Sc program is recognized by JNU, and its graduates will receive degrees from the university. The prospectus also notes that JNU is ranked second by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in the university category in India, highlighting the prestige of the institution.
Sources at the NCHMCT have indicated that the formal announcement and signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will occur later this month in Delhi, in the presence of the Union Tourism Minister. The source emphasized that this is not an affiliation but rather a recognition by JNU. This distinction is essential, as it indicates that the NCHMCT will retain its autonomy and independent status while benefiting from the prestige and recognition of JNU.
The recognition of NCHMCT’s flagship program by JNU is a significant morale booster for the NCHMCT, particularly as IHM admissions have experienced a decline in recent years. The NCHMCT has responded to this decline by authorizing individual IHMs to advertise and fill vacancies via walk-in interviews. However, this recognition by JNU will help attract students and provide an added incentive for them to choose NCHMCT’s programs over others. Overall, the partnership with JNU is a significant development for the NCHMCT, which will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and development of its programs and help it maintain its position as a leading institution in the hospitality and tourism education sector.
