Manipal: Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration (WGSHA), a unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal celebrated the Annual Day and Awards Ceremony on Tuesday at Fortune Inn Valley View here.
Mr Sanjay Bose, Executive Vice President, Human Resources Learning and Development, ITC Hotels, ITC Limited was the chief guest. Also present were: Mrs Vasanti R Pai, wife of Chancellor, Dr Ramdas M Pai and Trustee MAHE Trust; Dr H Vinod Bhat, Vice Chancellor; Dr PLNG Rao and Dr Poornima Baliga Pro Vice Chancellors, Mr. Rajen Padukone, Group President, Manipal Education and Medical Group, Dr Narayana Sabhahit, Registrar and others.
Chef K. Thirugnanasambantham, Principal of WGSHA, welcomed the gathering and presented the annual report for 2018-19. The Distinguished Alumnus this year went to Rohit Kohli, Joint Managing Director, Creative Travel Group. He is an alumnus of the 5thCourse of WGSHA.
Dr H Vinod Bhat, in his speech, said, “WGSHA has the best world ranking among all MAHE units. And it is this ranking that has contributed greatly to the University being conferred the tag of ‘Institution of Eminence’.” He also spoke of the 50 years of association with ITC.
Mr Sanjay Bose in his address expressed joy at the bonding of ITC and MAHE. He said, “When a company like ITC joins the vision and purpose of an institution like MAHE, I bring expertise beyond classrooms. The college strives to ignite passion among the students and endeavours to shape them not just as hospitality professionals but passionate hoteliers who would go out to become the best in the world.
There was also the inauguration of Welcomgroup Entrepreneurship Development Cell (WEDC), a joint effort of the students and faculty to boost the entrepreneurial spirit amongst the students. WGSHA’s Cricket League was also officially launched.
The important award winners of the evening were Ms Seema Mirza-Best Outgoing student of BHM, Mr VenkateshLella-Best Outgoing student of BA (Culinary Arts), Ms Swarna Lakshmi-Best Outgoing Student of MSc Dietetics and Applied Nutrition, Ms Sanjana Madhusudhan-Best Outgoing Student of MSc Hospitality and Tourism Management. The Hyatt Student Prize 2018 went to Mohini Mohandas,
The Chef Vikas Khanna Rolling Trophy went by MsSanjana Sridhar, Ricky Victor D’Souza Memorial Award for overall excellence in Food and Beverage Production won by Mr Saumye Kapoor, Prof.Trevor Devas Cash Prize for Highest marks in Entrepreneurship won by Mr Harshit, G.
Sathyavathi Award for the university topper in B.A. (Culinary Arts) won by Ms Sanjana Sridhar, Best Sportsperson of the year- Female- Ms Sanjana Sridhar of BA (Culinary Arts) and Best Sportsperson of the year- Male – Mr Ishwar Ojha of BHM. The Good Teacher Award 2018 was won by Chef Manish T K, F&B Management and Mrs Meenakshi Garg, Dietetics & Nutrition.
