Mr. Lalit Kukreti has been working as the Head of Food Production Department at Amazon College of Dehradun, Uttarakhand. And as part of his education, he has done BBA in Hotel Management from Doon (PG) College of Agriculture, Science and Technology - Dehradun. Also, before joining Amazon College, he has worked with Chili’s Grill and Bar Restaurant as Commi iii, ITC Fortune Mussoorie as Commi ii in Pantry and Continental Kitchen, Nutritious Nation Food Pvt Ltd as CDP (Chef de Partie) in Continental Kitchen. In other words, he has a total of 9+ years of professional work experience in the hotel management and education sector. F&B Production (Continental) is his core area of interest Mr. Lalit also possesses good communication and team building skills.

Amazon Institute of Hotel Tourism and Management

In your opinion, how can aspiring students prepare themselves for the world of food production?

For all the aspiring students and youths out there who wish to make a career in the world of food production, I would advise them to refer to official websites of various reputable institutions and universities and pursue courses that are integrated with cutting-edge technologies so that they can gain industry-relevant skills and required practical exposure for a competitive edge. Apart from this, to gain a strong foothold in this dynamic sector, they can contact the institute's academic advisors or admission counselors to get key details on their newest offerings. Last but not the least, they should keep themselves updated about evolving industry trends and innovations to ensure they choose a program that aligns with the latest advancements of the field.

Which factors make the food production programs of your college worth pursuing for students?

The Food Production program which our institution grants to students has a cutting-edge, corporate and employment oriented curriculum and course is also aligned with their career goals and evolving needs of the dynamic world of food production. We also offer them required hands-on exposure in the form of practical training on latest technologies with the support of our industry connections. Along with this, we have an amazing academic team of highly qualified, trained and experienced faculty members, mentorship programs and strong Alumni network to enhance the overall learning experiences of students. Then our accreditations, industrial partnership and successful graduates are the crystal-clear proof of the quality of education we offer.

What best practices have been adopted by your institution for courses it offers to students?

Our institution has adopted rich course materials and online tools for courses it is offering to students at present. In addition to this, students get unmatchable support from our faculty and we all keep ourselves updated with the current trends of the industrial world in fields like programming, writing or science. Additionally, a culture of regular, transparent and effective communication is promoted on campus to ensure students success in specific domains. 

What are some valuable insights of the programs that students are pursuing from your college?

For the purpose of enhancing the overall learning experience of students and providing them with required practical exposure, we offer them amazing internship and research opportunities along with a supportive ambiance and knowledge of emerging technologies to grow on both personal and professional level. They also work on collaborative projects with teachers and industry professionals which in return give them valuable professional connections and guidance to develop soft skills. Last but not the least, curriculum is updated on a regular basis to reflect the latest advancements of industries and ensure students are well-prepared for the evolving landscape of their chosen field.

How do the courses of your department ensure the future preparedness of students?

The curriculum of our department courses is aligned with current industry trends and emerging technologies so as to ensure students can gain relevant skills. Then there are internships, research projects and hands-on learning training programs to bridge the gaps between theory and application. Also, events and activities we organize on campus in collaboration with top-notch professionals keep students updated about real-world demands and scenarios. Apart from this, inclusion of initiatives related to developments of soft skills, problem-solving, critical thinking, and adaptability skills of students always ensure their holistic development. Lastly, focus on lifelong learning equips students with the mindset to navigate and thrive in a rapidly changing future.

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How did you train your department’s faculty to help them effectively deliver FP programs to students?

Although all our faculty members are highly qualified and trained in their respective domains, still with changing times, technologies and industrial world demands, they need regular skills upgradation. Hence to keep them abreast of current corporate developments, our institution conducts workshops, faculty development training programs and conferences on a regular basis. We also collaborate with experts of different fields to help them easily navigate research and project opportunities so that they can invent new or customize existing teaching methodologies. Feedback is taken from students from time to time to test the effectiveness of our courses and pedagogies associated with each. Lastly, a culture of innovation and research within the faculty enhances their ability to deliver a program that prepares students for current and future challenges of their concerned fields.

How do you build a strong connection between your department courses and industry needs?

With the aim to bridge the gaps between academia and industry and establish a strong connection between our department courses and corporate needs, we regularly send our students to corporate events and conferences so that they can showcase their innovative work to a larger audience. Our Alumni also visit us to guide their juniors and then there are extensive research collaborations to further strengthen ties. Additionally, faculties undergo customized corporate training programs to enhance our courses relevance and we regularly stay in touch with our corporate partners to take necessary suggestions and feedback so that our courses can be developed in accordance with their ever-changing needs. 

What challenges have you faced while inculcating a Food Production program in your college’s curriculum?

As we all know that sustaining industry relevance demands ongoing updates in courses and overall curriculum and maintaining student engagement requires innovative teaching approaches, so I believe these are two key challenges we face while integrating a Food Production course in curriculum. Other than this, developing effective assessment methods and integrating up-to-date technologies are additional hurdles. Last but not the least, securing funding for program development, ensuring accreditation compliance, transparent communication with stakeholders, accepting their demands also poses different kinds of roadblocks at different levels. And to overcome these challenges, we all collaborate as and when needed, have made ourselves adaptable, and are committed to continuous improvement, ensuring the program’s success.

On what types of projects students of your department usually work on throughout their course duration?

Our students work on a wide variety of projects including research initiatives exploring new concepts, collaborative industry projects solving real-world issues, and internship projects with companies. They also participate in innovation challenges on a continuous basis to address specific problems within set timeframes, and contribute to community engagement projects. Entrepreneurial ventures, multidisciplinary collaborations, and capstone projects integrating acquired knowledge are also common. Some students even work on simulations or modeling projects, while others focus on technology development, building applications or prototypes. This variety ensures a comprehensive learning experience for them.

What benefits and career options would be available to students after pursuing a Food Production course from your institution?

Graduates get abundant benefits from practical skills, innovation and network opportunities they gain while pursuing their respective courses from our institution and after successfully completing their programs, students can mainly work as Industry Specialists, Researchers, Entrepreneurs, Consultants, Analysts, Project Managers, Technology Developers, Policy Analysts, Educators and as Advocates with renowned industries, institutions, firms and courts. Because our programs equip individuals with expertise directly applicable to their chosen field, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Whether contributing to research, leading projects, or starting ventures, graduates at the end will be well-prepared for diverse and rewarding career paths within their specialized domain.