March 11, 2002

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HOTEL MANAGEMENT DIPLOMA OF NCHMCT UPGRADED TO DEGREE COURSE

    Hotel Management Diploma Course of National Council of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) have been upgraded to Degree course with the collaboration of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). A Memorandum of Understanding to this effect was signed here today by Shri Vikram Chandra, Registrar of IGNOU and Shri M.K. Khanna, Addl. Director General, Ministry of Tourism. Secretary, Tourism Smt. Vinay Rati Jha, Vice Chancellor of IGNOU Prof. H.P. Dikshit and Representative of Hospitality Industry were present on the occasion.

    According to MoU, IGNOU and NCHMCT will launch a Degree in Hotel Management, which will consists of courses through distance learning from the side of IGNOU and the practical and professional courses offered by NCHMCT through its 22 institutes in the country. The Course will open up new avenues for the students. After the Hotel Management Course, they will now able to apply directly for Post Graduate Degree Courses and able to appear for competitive exams which have Degree as minimum qualification.

    A Joint Coordination Committee has been formed with representatives from both the organisations to develop and monitor the programme. Ms. Rati Vinay Jha, Tourism Secretary described it as a major step in contributing towards the development of human resources needed for the hospitality sector. Prof. H.P. Dikshit, Vice Chancellor, IGNOU described this collaborative effort as a unique event which ushers a new era of coming together of distance learning and professional institutions of National repute. Addl. D.G., Tourism Shri M.K. Khanna said that in view of increasing demand for skilled manpower by Hospitality industry, the course has significant importance. He said Department of Tourism has taken up programme of upgrading infrastructure as its 22 hotel management institutes at the cost of Rs. 100 crore. Projects of 50 crore rupees have already been taken up and rest will be initiated in remaining period of 10^th Plan. He expressed the hope that India will soon emerge as a major player in the area of HRD in Hospitality sector.

    The Programme will be available to the students from July 2002 Session and the admission process will be the same as practiced by the NCHMCT i.e. a Joint Entrance Examinations and an Interview.