A committed team of academics with an average 20 years experience and rich industry exposure. Faculty members are drawn from operations for currency. Management professionals bring many years of experience into the learning environment. Pioneering research strategies and development efforts have led to our recognition. This is what makes the institute a shining example of stringent process management and excellence.
Here is a list of active research topics in this area – Learner Vantage
and the consolidated list of associated faculty members IHM-A Faculty
A Diploma in Hotel Management, Diploma in Hospitality Management (American Hotel & Motel Association), Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Personnel Management, Rushad is the module leader for Marketing Management at the Intermediate level and Hotel Operations Management at the Honours level. He also essays the role of Designated Academic Liaison Officer (DALO) for University of Huddersfield, UK.
After an initial industry experience for 7 years in food and beverage operations, followed by 16 years in teaching, learning and research at the Institute, he has grown into the Dean’s role. His ongoing growth with Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, enhances the culture of independence for students. He currently oversees diplomatic initiatives with Denmark and Thailand for skill development in the cuisine management domain.
A proud alumnus of the Institute from the Class of 1997, he is a solution provider for our students and the team. He inspires the sustenance of a culture of caring at the Institute with kindness and care.
Operations Management and Research
Foundation level modules are focused on operations management and research. This knowledge is applied, analysed and synthesized to evaluate cutting edge development. From accomodation to supply chain management, a wide range of topics is studied in this domain.
Gautam Sen is the Course Administrator for both the undergraduate programs in Hotel Management and Culinary Arts, at the institute.
He has an MBA in Marketing Management, Bachelor of Arts in Education, Diploma in Hotel Management, WSET Level 2 – Wine & Spirit Education Trust. As a certified Six Sigma professional, he was instrumental in implementing Six Sigma quality management processes in food service areas in ITC Sonar, Kolkata.
Gautam’s passion for training inspired him to join IHM-A in 2008. At the Institute, he imparts education in the area of food & beverage operations, enterprise development, hospitality marketing and event management.
A Diploma in Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition bridging to a Master of Hotel Management, Pramod started his career in 1993 with the Taj Group of Hotels as a Trainee Chef. He has held multiple cuisine operations positions in their hotels before moving to Cunard Sea Bourne Company on their luxury ship “M/s Caronia” as Galley Chef.
On returning to India, he rejoined Taj Hotels, holding positions of Executive Chef in Madurai, Kovalam and Khajuraho . In 2008, he shifted to the Learning and Development function, and soon became L&D Manager, being responsible for rolling out the Learning Management System, after which he joined IHM-A in 2014.
A hands-on Course Leader to Culinary Arts students teaching them Food Production Operations and Contemporary Gastronomy, he strongly believes in practical skill development. His research interests are in Supply Chain Management and Ethnic Food Traditions. His doctoral research focuses on Logistics and Transportation solutions in the hospitality industry.
A Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Commerce and travel services professional with over three decades experience in the hotel industry, specializing in travel services, itinerary building, travel documentation and support systems, Sahebrao remains a single source of current knowledge on travel trends.
His industry career spans Taj hotels in Aurangabad, Nashik and Pune where he managed travel services for 16 years before joining the Institute in 2010. His vast knowledge on travel protocols are a source of support to all stakeholders of the institution as he imparts practical learning experiences.
His research interests include contemporary travel and accommodation booking systems. His doctoral research is inspired by recent developments in the post pandemic world where virtual systems and technology domination pique his curiosity to use agility and avoid redundant systems.
A Diploma in Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Bachelor of Science (Hospitality & Tourism), Master of Science(Hospitality & Tourism) Level 2 Certified for Appreciation by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, Arun Sharma has 40 years experience in his domain and is an industry veteran.
From Bartender to Restaurant Manager and Banquet Manager, Arun Kumar Sharma has done it all for almost 25 years in Food and Beverage Operations across various properties inside “Taj Group of Hotels. He is an Assistant Professor at Institute of Hotel Management – Aurangabad, India and teaching in Culinary Arts at Foundation and Intermediate level.
He joined “Taj group of hotels” in 1985 and then in 2008 he moved to IHM-A and joined the teaching profession. He holds a First-Class M.Sc. Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Studies. His area of interest is Wine and Food and he brings the Events Industry to life in the classroom.
Beyond the classroom he is also responsible as an “Academic Librarian” and is active in managing and promoting learning resources to users.
Assistant Professor – Management Information Systems.
Email – zamanjit.parmar@ihma.ac.in
ID – 1-5149658877
A Master of Personnel Management and Bachelor of Hotel Management, a trained hotelier, highly committed to quality in process management.
He is a certified trainer credited for his long term association and good deeds at IHCL. Responsible for training young aspirants at Year 1, he ensures the highest standards of grooming and ethics required for Front Office professionals.
After an assignment in data analytics and MIS, his industry insights in operations management skills are a learning imperative for future professionals to be equipped with the highest levels of confidence.
A Master of Business Administration (Human Resource & Marketing), Bachelor of Arts in History, Diploma in Hotel Management, Prasad is a Certified ISO 22000 professional by Bureau Veritas.
A professional with 18 years experience in F&B operations, having held the position of Food & Beverage Manager, his expertise in food service operations is a basis for students to learn high operational standards of hygienic service delivery.
He is currently the Year Tutor for Year 1 (Hotel Management) and a single point of contact for all student support and learning.
A Master of Personnel Management, Master of Tourism Management, Master of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management, Bachelor of Science, Post Graduate Diploma in Accommodation Operations and Management, Vishal has 21 years experience in the rooms division.
Starting as a Front Office Assistant, he has grown into multiple management roles in reservations, sales and accommodation management. Over the past 4 years, he is sharing the wealth of his experience with Year 1 students.
As Co-Year Tutor in Year 1 (Hotel Management) he provides student support and learning through his operations expertise.
A Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Processing from SNDT Women’s Unversity Pune after a Bachelor of Science in Composite Home Science, from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore, Bhavana’s core expertise lies in Nutrition, Human Development and Extension Education.
Bhavana has 10 years of experience in Education prominently in the areas of Nutrition, Health and Safety Management. Her technical skills were honed at FRESH (Foundation of Food Research and Enterprise for Safety and Hygiene), Nilgiris and K C Das.
Bhavana is responsible for the maintenance of Food Safety Standards Authority of India’s stringent norms at the Institute. Recently certified with FOSTAC (Food Safety Training and Certification), she is the designated Covid Prevention Compliance Officer at the Institute.
Assistant Professor – Digital & Marketing Communication
Email – smita.parmar@ihma.ac.in
(ID – 1-8193003354)
A Master in Communication Studies (Video Production), Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) in Business Administration with over 13 years experience in the IT and Communication industry, Smita has held multiple managerial positions in digital projects before moving to academics in 2019.
In her current role, she teaches Digital and Marketing Communication, while driving the Institute’s social media and digital initiatives. She has achieved high engagement levels with all stakeholders through coordinating agency expertise. Her research interests include media and communication effects, cultural influences from communication on digital media and social networks.
She contributes to the Institute’s communication strategy alongside documenting emerging standard operating procedures. An active member of the Strategic Innovation Domain, her research projects in technological innovation and digital business models forms the basis for her doctoral studies.
A Bachelor of Hotel Management and Catering Technology and Master of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Anandsingh has extensive experience in India and abroad handling the pastry production area, including at the prestigious Ritz Carlton, Greensboro, Atlanta training chefs for over 6 years, he is with IHM-A for 13 years. His focus area remains pastry and confectionery after having been recently trained at Ecole Nationale Superieure de Patisserie, Yssingeaux, France under the aegis of the world famous Ecole Ducasse. He is often seen sharing notes with visiting chefs from France and Denmark.
He contributes to the Global Cuisine module at the Honours level, Human Resource Management at the Intermediate level and Food Production Operations at the Foundation level. He also essays the role of Year Tutor for Year 3 Culinary Arts.
His research interests are Technology in Hospitality and Sustainable Supply Chain Management having published three papers, co-authored two papers on 6 Sigma application and Organic Food. His doctoral research is in the technology domain focusing on technology in food production and service operations.
A Diploma in Food and Beverage Production, B.Sc. in Hotel Management, Master of Business Administration (Hotel Management), he is currently in the process of pursuing his PhD in Skill Development.
Chef Bhamkar is a specialist in bakery and confectionery with 10 years industry experience with Taj Group of Hotels (India) and Princess Cruises (USA). His contribution to setting up Corporate Social Responsibility projects in Skill Development over 14 years has gained him enormous respect. He is currently exploring new trends and innovations in the field of bakery and confectionery. He imparts bakery and confectionery skills at Year 1 and 2 in the Culinary Arts domain.
He was chosen to accompany Team India to Sao Paolo during the prestigious World Skills Competition in Brazil. His recent compilation of unique recipes called Baker’s Delight has been published online to share his expertise.
A proud alumnus of the Class of 2010 from the Institute, Ocean received a Bachelor of Hotel Management (Honours) from University of Huddersfield, UK. His early exposure in industry is across food and beverage operations for 10 years, following which he chose a career in education, returning to his alma mater. He has worked with some of the country’s best hospitality management companies, such as Marriott International, IHG and Radisson Hotel Group.
His managerial and leadership skills were honed in his last role as Food & Beverage Manager. Apart from managing and leading operational teams, Ocean also gained experience in on site project management and pre-opening procedures. He is associated with the Food & Beverage Enterprise Management module at the Intermediate level. He also possesses innate experience in large scale events management, which enhances student learning.
His research interests include dynamics of consumer behavior and customer experience management. His doctoral research is in the area of evolving leadership styles following post pandemic exigencies. He will be responsible for grooming students into future Food and Beverage leaders in industry.
A Diploma in Hotel Operations, Bachelor of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, Master of Hospitality Management with a keen interest in bartending, Ankush chose a career in academics after 5 years in industry. He has worked as Assistant Professor for 5 years and is highly motivated to complete a Master of Business Administration (Human Resources) qualification.
Ankush is associated with the Property Management Systems module at the Foundation level specializing in Management Information Systems. His research interests are in the domain of tourism, public relations and people empowerment. His doctoral research focuses on food ethics and cuisine evolution.
He is keenly involved with social development projects and is a champion of community outreach initiatives at the Institute. A personality with diverse and varied interests, he is honing his pedagogical skills for digital delivery in the evolving situation.
She started her academic journey at this very institute 12 years ago, pursuing a BA Hons in the Culinary Arts programme. To further her learning, she completed the Master’s programme (Hospitality & Tourism Management) at WGSHA, Manipal where she graduated top of her class.
In 8 years of her professional experience, she has worked at and managed kitchen operations at few of the most renowned hotels in the country like Taj, Marriott and Hyatt.
Eventually, she found her true calling in the academic field, which led her to teach at institutions like DIHM, Delhi and KLE S. Nijalingappa college, Bengaluru as an Assistant Professor heading their culinary department.
She is a food enthusiast, her love for culinary arts being evidently reflected by her academic choices as well as her career progression, which, as an educator enables her to proficiently impart theoretical and practical knowledge to her students.
Her research interest lies in gastronomic tourism, food image, food travel preferences, and destination marketing with local foods. As a contributor to the academia, she has published a research paper on gastronomic tourism in Anatolia – an International Scopus indexed journal by Taylor & Francis.
A Doctor of Philosophy in Corporate Governance, Masters of Business Administration (Finance), Masters of Commerce and Bachelor of Commerce, Dr. Iyengar holds multiple publications to his credit. He has authored Hotel Finance (2008) New Delhi: Oxford University Press, published in the International Journal of Revenue Management (2012), and developed white papers understanding the Role of NED’s in the Internationalization Process and Corporate Governance Practices of Global Hotel Corporations.
He contributes to the Strategic Hospitality Management module with a Business Finance background, equipped ably with a former role as Registrar overseeing Course Leaders at the Institute over the past 16 years.
He has been actively involved in managing all academic and quality assurance initiatives towards creating a cohesive learning environment for students. A passion for intellectual excellence and commitment to empower young minds with research methodologies has been his goal over the decades.
Management Studies and Research
Intermediate level modules are focused on management studies and research. Functional exposure to finance, human resource and marketing management, provides students for higher roles. This is the underpinning knowledge that forms a basis for strategic orientation.
A Master of Personnel Management, Master of Arts in Education, Master of Science (Tourism & Hospitality Management), Post Graduate Diploma in Taxation Law, Certificate in Revenue Management & Dynamic Pricing from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
Rakesh is a seasoned operations professional with extensive experience in Front Office Operations for 17 years, including 5 years as Front Office Manager leading a team of 20 persons. During his professional journey, he has been recognized for his work several times, including the Tata Business Excellence Management award for Customer Information System implementation.
The 8th World Education Congress, recognizes him for being one of the 100 Most Dedicated Professors.
An alumnus of IIM – Ahmedabad’s Faculty Development Program in Management, Master of Business Administration (Human Resource Management), Master of Tourism Management, Master of Science (Tourism & Hospitality), Master of Rural Development, Bachelor of Tourism Studies, Bachelor of Science (Hospitality & Tourism) Diploma in Hotel Management and Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management (AH&LA, USA) Saurabh joined IHM-A as an early academic, currently having gathered over 10 years of experience in the Institute after a short stint in hotel operations.
He is the youngest tourism graduate to receive a Gold Medal for Tourism Studies through the Vice President of India and recommended for a National Tourism Award by the Prime Minister’s Office.
He was also the youngest to qualify the UGC – NET exam in Tourism and is currently pursuing his PhD from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, (TISS – Mumbai). His research interests are in the areas of human resource, tourism and sustainability.
A Bachelor of Engineering(Mechanical) Master of Business Administration scholar, Khalid is a trained HVAC specialist who joined academics after 14 years in industry, across projects in India and abroad. He is associated with the Facilities Management module at Intermediate level and oversees live projects at the Institute converting them into perennial learning opportunities.
As an HVAC specialist, he has handled projects at scale as Country Manager (Saudi Arabia) for Danfoss Engineering, Denmark.
His association with multinational projects at ATS (Advanced Technical Solutions), Germany and Leminar Global, U.A.E. have enhanced his knowledge in the domains of energy conservation, design optimization and controls automation.
His research interests are in the domain of sustainable solutions, comfort reforms and building management system optimization in the hotel and restaurant industry. His doctoral research is in the optimization of refurbishment and retrofitting of facilities for cost advantage and environmental awareness.
Assistant Professor – Meetings Incentives Conventions Expositions
Email – nishant.thakkar@ihma.ac.in
(ID – 1-9322363651)
A Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Hotel Management from University of Huddersfield, UK of the Class of 2010 at IHM-Aurangabad. Nishant is a seasoned event management entrepreneur and hospitality professional with a decade’s experience in operations and management.
He began his journey with Indian Hotels Company Limited as an Assistant Manager in Information Systems from Campus. He has a keen eye for technology implementation since his active involvement in the Taj Inner Circle program.
His transition to entrepreneurship by launching his venture ‘Food Connect’ gives him first hand event management experience. From operating cloud kitchens supporting institutional catering to social and corporate events at prominent locations in Mumbai, his experience is valuable. He now delivers the events management module for students in a contemporary format at the Institute.
Dr. Fatma R. Zakaria (1936 – 2021)
Dr. Fatma Rafiq Zakaria was Chairman Emeritus of the Maulana Azad Educational Trust (MAET), offering quality education and training to the less privileged, with a focus on empowering women and minorities. She was Executive Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors of the prestigious Institute of Hotel Management – Aurangabad for over two and a half decades. A remarkable woman whose career spanned many areas, notably in social work, journalism and education. Dr. Fatma Rafiq Zakaria regrettably passed away on 6th April 2021. She was an inspired academic who specialized in journalism. A leader who infused the campus with her bright energy and enthusiasm for life, she brought about a sea change at Dr. Rafiq Zakaria Campus.
Dr. Fatma Rafiq Zakaria’s work in education is wide ranging and has one common theme, namely to provide opportunities for those from economically challenged backgrounds. This theme lives on through the work at Dr. Rafiq Zakaria Campus where affordable quality education for all is a testimony of the times. Dr. Fatma Rafiq Zakaria’s work in education has been feted through many awards including honorary positions of regional, national and international responsibility in further and higher education.
In 2006, Dr. Fatma Rafiq Zakaria was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri by the President of India for her work in education and literature. University of Huddersfield, UK bestowed upon her the honorary Doctorate in Education for her contribution to international education. Dr. Fatma Rafiq Zakaria continued the philanthropic traditions of her late husband, Dr. Rafiq Zakaria, a prominent educator and prolific writer on Indian politics and society. In 2020, Dr. Rafiq Zakaria Campus celebrated the centenary year of its Founder as he continues to be fondly remembered as the ‘Architect of Modern Aurangabad’.
Dr. Fatma Rafiq Zakaria continues to be adored and respected by her colleagues and business leaders all around the globe.
To know more about Dr. Fatma Zakaria’s achievements click here.
