Hospitality Beyond Borders: BCIHMCT and NATHM Unite for Academic Excellence
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The Academic Partnership Summit held on 14th and 15th April 2025 at Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology (BCIHMCT), New Delhi, marked a significant milestone in cross-border academic collaboration between India and Nepal in the fields of hospitality and tourism. The summit was organized in collaboration with the Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM), Nepal.
The event commenced at 10:00 AM with a warm welcome to the five-member delegation from NATHM, Nepal. The delegation included Mr. Aakash Lama (Instructor, Production Department), Ms. Sabina Raut (Instructor, Accommodation Department), Mr. Umesh Subedi (Chief Officer, Planning Department), Mr. Naresh Dangol (Senior Officer, Planning Department), and Mr. Tanka Kafle (Senior Officer, Administration Department).
The inaugural session began with a Welcome Address by Prof. R.K. Bhandari, Director of BCIHMCT, who extended heartfelt greetings to the guests and underlined the importance of mutual learning and collaboration. This was followed by a brief address from the representative of NATHM, outlining their expectations from the summit and emphasizing the potential of collaborative learning and tourism growth in the region.
The summit successfully fulfilled its objectives by establishing a foundation for long-term academic cooperation and mutual growth. It provided both institutions a platform to learn from each other and explore innovative educational strategies in the hospitality and tourism sectors. The presence of Guest of Honour, Dr. Sudhir Andrews, a stalwart in hospitality education, added immense value to the proceedings. He expressed his appreciation on such advancements in the hospitality industry and presented his new book titled Tourism – Past, Present and Future – Dr. Sudhir Andrews to the dignitaries during the summit.
Dr. Gagan Soni, Coordinator, IQAC, presented an overview of BCIHMCT’s best practices and major achievements in the areas of student development, faculty training, and industry interface. Subsequently, Dr. Arvind Kumar Saraswati, Academic & Research Coordinator, gave a detailed presentation on the institute's academic and curriculum framework, highlighting its alignment with global hospitality education standards.
The summit also featured an immersive institute tour, including visits to the culinary labs, front office simulation rooms, and housekeeping labs, providing delegates with insights into the practical training methods adopted at BCIHMCT.
Later, Dr. Prem Ram, Programme Coordinator, delivered a session on the culinary culture of India and shared institutional best practices in gastronomy and food production. Dr. Saraswati then took the lead in explaining the ongoing research initiatives and collaborative projects undertaken by the institute.
The day concluded with a faculty introduction and roundtable discussion, which facilitated a rich exchange of ideas, opening pathways for future research collaborations and joint academic ventures. The second day of the summit was dedicated to exploring local hotels, allowing the delegates to gain deeper insights into Indian hospitality practices.