The FHRAI Institute of Hospitality Management (FHRAI-IHM) has appointed Mr Arun Kumar Singh as its Director effective March 2021. An illustrious career spanning over three and half decades in Hospitality Management, Mr Singh brings to FHRAI-IHM his expertise in Institutional and academic administration. He will aid FHRAI-IHM’s Research and Development and be a value-add to the institute’s faculty.

Prior to joining FHRAI-IHM, Mr Singh served as the Principal of IHMCTAN Mumbai, the Principal of Institute of Hotel Management of Lucknow and the State Institute of Hotel Management, Jodhpur. In his last stint, he played a pivotal role in obtaining a grant of 11 crores from Ministry of Tourism, Government of India for upgrading the training facility at IHMCTAN Mumbai. In the recent past, he assisted the Maharashtra Government in setting-up the State’s Institute of Hotel Management in Solapur.

There were only six students when classes commenced in 1954 at Bhavan’s College Campus, Andheri. The three-year Diploma Programme in Hotel Management & Catering Technology was started in 1958, recognised by the Directorate of Technical Education, Maharashtra. The institute later shifted to its own separate campus in Dadar built on the land leased by the state government. With Thangam E. Philip as its Principal, the growth of the institute was spectacular with funds coming from the state and central government. The central government took over the total financial responsibility in 1979. Three more regional institutes were established in 1963 in New Delhi, Calcutta and Chennai. Hence, the first Food Craft Institute was opened in Kalamassery and, thereafter, more institutes were opened in different states.

“My tenure of twenty-four years in various Hospitality Management institutes has enriched my knowledge in the field. Over the years I gained exposure to infrastructure creation and development, student empowerment and upgradation of knowledge and skill. Over the next five years, I aspire to lead FHRAI-IHM to become an institution of excellence in Hospitality education by fostering knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurship. In this endeavour, I hope to make an impact on the hospitality industry ecosystem in the country,” says Mr Arun Kumar Singh.