Educational institutions thrive under strong leadership. A leader sets the tone for academic excellence by fostering a love for learning and high expectations for students and faculty. They act as architects, crafting a vision that propels the institution towards an ideal future, anticipating needs and preparing students for a world yet to come.
Principal/Secretary—Mr. Sanjay Thakur has been fulfilling this role at the Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Hyderabad, by formulating and executing educational objectives and strategies aimed at ensuring the delivery of top-quality education.
Mr. Sanjay is a multifaceted individual, embodying the roles of a visionary, philosopher, passionate leader, avid learner, author, creative artist, entrepreneur, and sportsman. With an illustrious career spanning over three decades in the travel and tourism industry, he has garnered extensive experience working with renowned hotel chains, commercial restaurants, and educational institutions.
Leading the Educational Transformation
Mr. Sanjay has significantly transformed multiple institutions through his dedicated commitment to people development and his entrepreneurial mindset. He has demonstrated remarkable leadership by implementing robust processes and fostering a successful work culture.
With extensive exposure and rich experience in diverse work environments, Mr. Sanjay, as a principal, has played a pivotal role in enhancing college administration, student culture, management practices, strategic planning, team dynamics, and professionalism.
His exceptional contributions have earned him prestigious accolades, including being the first principal to win the Unsung Hero Award from Accor Hotels and the first to be honored by Rotary Club International for his outstanding contributions to hospitality education.
Encompassing Diverse Qualities
Mr. Sanjay’s extensive acting experience in over 60 ad films and 4 commercial films, combined with his Diploma in Cartooning, has provided him with a unique perspective on people and nurtured his creative abilities, enabling him to generate innovative concepts.
Additionally, Mr. Sanjay’s representation of the East Zone in badminton reflects his sportsmanship and adds to his well-rounded personality. This combination of athletic spirit and sophisticated skills has contributed to his success as a great administrator, trainer, and coach.
Testimonies of Excellence
Mr. Sanjay has received high praise and recognition from various banks, restaurants, and hotels for his outstanding contributions to improving customer service through his training and development initiatives, which are known for their practical approach and relevance to real-life scenarios.
In addition to his impactful work in training and development, Mr. Sanjay has successfully ventured into entrepreneurship by launching Old Fox, a multi-cuisine restaurant, and Shanghai Surprise, a food delivery service. He shares his wealth of experience by nurturing aspiring entrepreneurs.
Mr. Sanjay is also celebrated as an author, having penned several books that cover a range of topics including:
- Success Stories of Iconic Food Chains
- The Language Buffet
- Modern Management from Panchatantra for Budding Professionals
- Hospitality Jobs
- Hi Impact Communication
- Success Blueprint for Budding Entrepreneurs
- “Take Charge 15 Essential Skills for Career Success” for providing Holistic education & promoting entrepreneurship.
Prestige and Performance
Under the visionary leadership of Mr. Sanjay, IHM Hyderabad has achieved significant recognition and success. The institute is ranked as the 3rd Best Hotel Management College in India and holds prestigious certifications including ISO, HACCP, and FSSAI. IHM Hyderabad has also been honored with four National Awards for excellence in education and administration.
Additionally, the institute has secured three entries in the Limca Book of Records for impressive achievements like creating the largest single-piece floral structure, showcasing 75 types of Biryani, and crafting the largest Millet Laddu.
From Vision to Victory
Established in 1972 under the Andhra Pradesh Public Societies Act as the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology, and Applied Nutrition in Hyderabad, the institution initially offered a three-year diploma in catering technology and hotel management.
Over time, the institute evolved and expanded, ultimately transitioning to its current name and offering a Bachelor of Science Programme in Hospitality & Hotel Administration (B.Sc. – H&HA) starting from the academic year 2002–2003 and Masters in Hospitality Administration from 2021-22.
Empowering Future Leaders
IHM Hyderabad operates under the Department of Tourism, Government of India, and is academically governed by the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Noida. Previously, the State Board of Technical Education and Training, Government of Andhra Pradesh, oversaw the Craft Certificate Courses, which were later standardized and nationally administered by the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology.
Transforming Lives Through Skill Development
In line with its commitment to enhancing employability among youth, IHM Hyderabad participates in the ‘Hunar Se Rozgar’ program supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. This program offers courses in food production, food and beverage service, housekeeping, and bakery, along with stipends and placement support for eligible candidates seeking employment in various organizations.
Under Mr. Sanjay’s leadership, IHM Hyderabad continues to uphold its rich legacy and has been recognized as the Top Hotel Management Institute of India by Competition Success Review. The institute has also forged strategic partnerships through Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with various organizations such as Novotel, Anwarul Uloom College, Durgabai Deshmukh Hospital and Research Centre, Osmainia University Business Incubator and others, aimed at providing holistic education and promoting entrepreneurship among students. These collaborations demonstrate IHM Hyderabad’s commitment to excellence and innovation in the field of hospitality education.
