Mr. Kushal Chatterjee is working as a Director of Training & Placement at Institute of Advanced Management, Kolkata, West Bengal. He is a Hotel Management Graduate with a comprehensive background in the Indian hospitality industry, with over 17 years of experience in hotel chains, where he was mostly associated with the Rooms-Division, being a hands-on operational and administrative manager. His area of specialization was Administration, Front Desk, Guest Relation, Housekeeping & Hotel Operations. Kushal has now been with IAM for close to 17 years, and plays a pivotal role in training, assessments, placements, module coordination, and group tutorship. As Programme Leader of the 3-Year Degree Course in Hospitality Management, Kushal is also responsible for monitoring the progress of students studying on the programme at IAM Kolkata, and providing counsel in relation to any academic or personal problems.

IAM Kolkata

What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

“The urge to learn something new while teaching my students”

The most important factor in a student's education is the extent to which we teach them to enjoy learning! Teaching a young adult or teenager to take pleasure in study is the greatest guarantor of his intellectual success. At IAM Kolkata, this is what keeps me connected.

What is your leadership philosophy? 

“I believe in teamwork and growth of everyone”

I would describe my leadership style as direct, and leading by example. At IAM Kolkata, I enjoy delegating tasks and taking the lead on teaching and learning methodologies, but I also like to stay involved and inspire the team by showing that I am working hands-on to help them too.

How do you strategize the key programs and plans for the marketing and administration of your institution?

“By highlighting our USPs (Unique Selling Propositions) to attract students for our institute”

Just like any other business, educational institutions too have to market their brand. We at IAM Kolkata, are constantly competing with other Institutes in order to attract students, and we have a lot of value to offer. We have diversity in the programs we provide, and we try to boost enrollment by highlighting some of these things.

What can an inbound student gain from studying here in your institute?

“We have amalgamated syllabus & teaching-methods of International Universities in our curriculum”

While Indian universities and colleges provide limited courses to choose from to the students, we here at IAM Kolkata, have had collaborative arrangements with Universities in the United Kingdom, for the past 21 years and have been delivering their Degree Programmes, which provides the students of IAM Kolkata, with a definite competitive edge.

How does the curriculum of IAM align with the best practices of industry?

“We constantly update our curriculum by incorporating the subject-content of multiple foreign universities, and the current-trends in the industry”

We have been delivering the curriculum of Robert Gordon University (Aberdeen UK); Queen Margaret University (Edinburgh, UK); Edinburgh Napier University (Edinburgh, UK); University West of London (London, UK), for the past over two decades, which, along with our Industry-Centric syllabi ensures world-class learning for the budding hospitality professionals.

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How is your institution more welcoming to students of different races or economic backgrounds?

“We organize various connect-sessions and any kind of inequality is not encouraged at all in our campus”

At IAM Kolkata we constantly Re-evaluate our teaching materials; get to know our students and the backgrounds they come from; we are always willing to address inequality; Connect with families and communities; Meet diverse learning needs; Hire diversely, and support professional development opportunities. IAM Kolkata has made efforts to increase diversity among its administrations, faculty and staff members and student bodies.

What are your roles and responsibilities towards the institution and the students?

“To provide best knowledge and guidance”

My contribution towards this institute includes promoting innovation in teaching and learning and novel uses of technology to enhance in-person teaching and learning; continuous quality improvement and building a culture of excellence in teaching that rewards the best and supports the rest. It also includes on-boarding of new primary and adjunct faculty, ongoing training and support for teaching faculty including programs such as peer coaching. 

What do you think should be the Institution’s top priority over the next 10 years?

“Our main focus for upcoming years is on research in all areas, to keep ourselves abreast of the latest trends & needs”

IAM Kolkata will invest in research. Research is crucial if an Institute wants to improve their reputation. Listen to the students. It is important to get student opinion to improve your reputation. Have an adaptable brand strategy. Engagement of all stakeholders too is very important.

When you first came to IAM, Kolkata what was your vision for the institution?

“To bring best business quality for institute and education for students”

Over the years at IAM Kolkata I have learnt to enhance access to Higher Education, ensuring equity, and in particular to the vulnerable sections of the society. To frame policies and programmes for strengthening research and innovations and to engage with the industry and society.

What makes your institute unique in comparison to others?

“The knowledge and experience we provide makes us different”

The main fact is that the learning and teaching at IAM Kolkata is based upon 32-Years of experience and experiential knowledge, and this is what makes us the best.

What do you see as your college’s greatest strengths?

“Our teaching and support-staff are our main pillars of strength”

The friendly and all-inclusive teaching and learning atmosphere that we have, which we get from giving major attention to minor details. Apart from that our faculty and support-staff who contribute towards making day to day activities very smooth and also help us to achieve our goals.

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What are some of the biggest challenges you see for IAM Kolkata?

“To keep ourselves updated with the latest industry needs and then provide the same knowledge to our students”

There is a lot of competition from similar Hotel-Management Colleges, plus constantly changing contents in higher education. Therefore, at IAM Kolkata we always have to be on our toes, to keep upgrading our skills and incorporate relevant changes in our syllabi.

Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth and the aspiring students?

“Be patient and make best use of every opportunity that comes your way”

Never lose hope, never give-up and always aim high. The mantras for a successful life are Right decision, Right Attitude and Right Conduct. The ones who can get these correct, will always reach the peak.

How do you establish a healthy relation and environment in your institute?

“By providing an open environment to communicate”

At IAM Kolkata, we believe in creating a helpful and friendly environment. We are good listeners and always keep our ears to the ground. The feedback we receive from students, guardians, staff-members, faculty-members, and all stakeholders, is always used to develop ourselves further.