The Uttaranchal School of Hotel & Hospitality Management (USHHM) at Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, successfully organized a high-impact, one-week online Faculty Development Programme (FDP) from July 13th to July 19th, 2026. The program, titled “Emerging Technologies in Hospitality & Tourism Industry,” focused on equipping educators with essential digital competencies to navigate a rapidly evolving global sector.
The academic initiative was guided by the university's visionary leadership, including Chief Patron Shri Jitender Joshi (President), Co-Chief Patron Ms. Ankita Joshi (Vice President), and Patrons Prof. Dharam Buddhi (Vice Chancellor), Prof. Rajesh Bahuguna (PVC), Dr. Abhishek Joshi (Executive Director), and Prof. (Dr.) Manish Badoni (Director, USHHM).
Throughout the week, the FDP decoded the dual dynamic of Tourism & Hospitality, addressing the balance between automated efficiency and personalized human service. Key training modules covered disruptive innovations such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics in operations, smart hotel technologies, and digital transformation within regional tourism ecosystems. Specialized sessions also highlighted AI tools for culinary arts and automated food production to modernize kitchen pedagogy.
Renowned industry experts and academicians served as key speakers and trainers, including Mr. Chandan Mishra (VP, SCIKIQ), Dr. Khushboo Sharma (ITM Vocational University), Prof. (Dr.) Dilbagh Singh (STAREX University), Dr. Arunesh Parashar (Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya), Mr. Santosh Malkoti (Chitkara University), and Mr. Aman Rawat (Operations Manager, IHCL).
Coordinated smoothly by Assistant Professors Mr. Kamal Singh Bisht and Mr. Nitish Bhardwaj, the program concluded with a vision to integrate smart property management tools and tech-driven frameworks directly into future academic curriculum.
