Ms. Sonali Satpathy has completed her B.Com from Kolkata University and then pursued a Master of Arts in Tourism Management from IGNOU. She has also done the certification course of Amadeus from IITTM. Ms. Sonali Satpathy has an overall teaching experience of 17+ years in the hospitality industry. She has worked with Ananda- in the Himalayas, The Oberoi, New Delhi. She has also worked with YMCA, in New Delhi, and then she joined JIMS Rohini where she taught subjects like international tourism and the front office. She has been a part of AIHM as a visiting faculty and is now a full-time senior lecturer.

Abhi Institute of Hotel Management

You have held key positions at education institutes throughout your professional career. What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

"Well, I like being with the young generation as they have that enthusiasm with that they carry in their everyday lives"

I love teaching, it's not monotonous for me. As I have gained pretty decent knowledge about this industry, I want more people to gain this knowledge. Teaching so many different subjects over the past 17 years is an innovation in itself.

What is your philosophy of leadership? How would you describe your leadership style?

"All I can say is that it is 80% democratic and 20% autocratic"

As the student has just come out of school hence the democratic ratio of 80% is there. They have a long way to go to enhance their leadership styles and their personalities

How does the curriculum of your institute ensure the best practice of Industry?

“We have a dedicated placement cell, which provides 100% placement and is an added advantage for the students”

Well, we have the best facility which is required for the students. Our institute contributes to a larger objective in hotel management. We align our curriculum with the overall practical knowledge of the industry which is also our main focus point. We have a dedicated placement cell, which provides 100% placement and is an added advantage for the students.

Check Abhi Institute of Hotel Management Courses & Fees

What are some of the major changes that Covid-19 has bought in the education sector according to you?

“The industry wants trained manpower, and colleges like ours are filling the gap”

I believe that the industry was not adversely affected. Of course, it stopped for some time, but now it has bounced back. In colleges, there's a huge demand for trained manpower. There's a void as a lot of people left during the Covid time. Some people have left for their respective homes during that time and are now coming back to the major cities for work. But there is a gap as skilled workers are not there in this industry. The industry wants trained manpower and colleges like ours are filling the gap. 

Are there any placement opportunities for the students?

Yes, we have a record for 100% placements. Our students are placed in major 5-star hotels like The Leela, Eros, Oberoi, Radisson and many more.

How is your relationship with the students of your college?

“Students know that if they work hard, they can reach their goals”

As I stated earlier, I enjoy teaching, and hence I get to learn from the students as well. I have an amazing relationship with my students. I am a little strict as well so that there's a required boundary with them. As we are in the new era where students are already familiar with social media platforms, and they also see various successful people in the same industry, they know that if they work hard, they can reach their goals.

What are the most important functions in the role that you play in your institute?

I’m responsible for handling new students' inquiries with respect to their admissions and their career path. I make sure that I teach the students as per the curriculum. I am also a part of management, and hence in case some changes are required in the curriculum, we modify the same.

Click Abhi Institute of Hotel Management Placements

How do you tend to establish a healthy relationship and environment in your institute/ university?

I teach my students in a very basic manner along with some of the case studies so that they can understand the topic in depth. I also find that underconfident students require special attention because they might have certain shortcomings which need to be addressed. I make sure that these students are given extra attention meanwhile the other students don’t get to know about the same.

Any suggestions/messages that you would like to give to the current youth?

"I will suggest to the youth that please don't forget the basics of life. Technology will come and go like AI, Robotics but the basics will never change"

Social skills and interactions will always be there. Do not forget from where you have come. And for the students who want to try their hands on the hotel and hospitality industry, you should go with the hotel management course, train here and you will come out as a polished person, both personally and professionally and I can say from my experience that you will never be jobless in your life.