Learn today, lead tomorrow.
Learn today, lead tomorrow.
Dr. Suresh Kumar Yadav serves as the Principal of the Ananta Institute of Hotel Management & Allied Studies in Jaipur.
He holds an MBA from Taxila Business School, Jaipur, and earned his doctorate from the University of Rajasthan. Dr. Suresh has also completed a Senior Research Fellowship sponsored by the Government of India and is recognized as a scholar by the Indian Council of Social Science Research. Furthermore, he was subsequently promoted to Senior Research Fellow by the Government of India.
Dr. Suresh started his professional career with the ITDC (Indian Tourism Development Corporation) and the IHM (Institute of Hotel Management) Jaipur. His association with hospitality led him to later connect with Ananta Institute of Hotel Management.
Dr. Suresh claims that the Ananta Institute is recognized as a leading institute in the state. Its unique selling proposition (USP) is that it has its own hotels. Students can leverage this advantage by gaining practical training in these properties. With approximately 18 properties within and outside the state, including locations such as Goa, Himachal, and Shirdi, Ananta Institute provides diverse exposure. There are plans for international expansion too, with potential projects in the pipeline for Dubai in the UAE, says Dr. Suresh Kumar.
Dr. Suresh says that Ananta Institute, which began its operations in Jaipur in 2015, has expanded its presence to include a center in Pushkar. The institute runs a dedicated college within a resort in Pushkar. In the upcoming year, there are plans to further extend their reach to Udaipur. Looking ahead, the institute envisions establishing multiple centers to enhance its impact.
Adding on, Dr. Suresh says that Ananta boasts world-class infrastructure, including its own hotels and a team of experienced professionals from both the hotel industry and academia. The institute prioritizes job placement and employability for its students. Upon admission to any degree, diploma, or certification course, students are guaranteed a 100% job placement upon completion. Ananta features a dedicated aviation lab and three well-equipped kitchens, replicating the standards of a 5-star hotel. Their housekeeping lab is also constructed with a 5-star infrastructure.
Affiliated with Shri Vishwakarma Skill University, the country's first university dedicated to skill-oriented courses, Ananta is proud to be the inaugural affiliate and the top-ranked college in this state government university. The curriculum's design, comprising 75% practical and 25% theory, significantly enhances students' chances of securing their desired jobs, says Dr. Suresh Kumar
He mentions that the hospitality industry is becoming increasingly IT-based, aligning with the booming trends in the overall IT industry. Drawing parallels, he notes the growth of booking platforms such as MakeMyTrip and GoIbibo, which have significantly enhanced accessibility for tourists and contributed to the expansion of the hospitality sector.
Dr. Suresh shares from a student's perspective that in the hospitality industry, students can readily secure positions in multinational companies like the Taj and Oberoi right after completing their graduation or diploma. He emphasizes that compared to other degrees and courses, the prospects in hospitality are significantly better, with a minimum qualification of graduation being sufficient to land a job. According to him, approximately 35-40% of hospitality graduates move abroad, providing them with a relatively straightforward path. He points out that Indian professionals are leading the hospitality sector worldwide, with a significant presence in Middle Eastern countries, the UK, and the USA.
He reflects on the challenges of his time, emphasizing that they faced difficulties due to a lack of information and limited options. Contrasting that with the present scenario, he notes that times have changed, and the new education policy mandates skill-based education for students after their 9th class. He points out that his institution has been following this system since 2018, aligning with the principles of the new education policy. Dr. Suresh Kumar highlights that among the four universities in India initiated as prototypes for the new education policy, one of them is Rajasthan Skills University, also known as 'The Vishwakarma Skills University’ which they are affiliated to.
The motivational quote that inspires him is, "Try and try until you succeed," along with the additional advice, "and never give up."
Sharing his personal struggles, Dr. Suresh says that he faced an initial challenge due to his rural background. Another obstacle arose from his exceptional qualifications—he enrolled in a Ph.D. program quite early in his education journey in 2012, where he emerged as a topper and secured his JRF during that phase. Upon joining Ananta, he became the youngest faculty member, and within three years, he earned a promotion to become a principal at a young age. This rapid ascent presented difficulties in associating with colleagues and in managing professional and personal relationships. He emphasizes that the industry has shifted to a talent-based model, making his struggles relatable for any young individual excelling in their work.
His advice to young hospitality aspirants is to recognize that hospitality is a hard-core, work-based, and input-driven industry. He encourages them not to hesitate to learn new things and innovate. He emphasizes that they should not question the value of putting in extra effort because every effort matters in this field and will eventually be rewarded. While acknowledging that the initial training phase can be challenging, he believes that once it is complete, the sky's the limit in the field of hospitality.
His message to the Indian youth on contributing to the development of India is centered around the idea that people may be misguided due to the ideologies they follow or the cultural references they have. He suggests that instead of being misguided, individuals should focus on themselves, emphasizing that personal growth and improvement will ultimately contribute to the development of the nation. According to him, changing one's economic and lifestyle aspects can have a positive impact on a larger scale.
On behalf of Ananta Institute, his message is focused on delivering quality education in the field of hospitality. He encourages aspiring individuals who wish to pursue a career in hospitality to join Ananta Institute. He emphasizes the institute's belief in creating future leaders in hospitality, echoing their slogan "Learn today, lead tomorrow." Dr. Suresh Kumar invites individuals to be part of their growing and expanding group, envisioning a collective effort to bring about positive change.