Ashok Kumar S., the son of K. Sreedhara Kurup, was born on May 9, 1968, in Kochi. He began his career by joining FACT in Ambalamedu for an apprenticeship in the Electrical Engineering department. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, he had to resign from his position as a customer engineer at a reputed computer firm in New Delhi and return to his hometown.

Back in Kochi, Ashok started working as a tutor in an educational institution, where he gained valuable knowledge and experience in managing and running such institutions. This experience inspired him to embark on a new project. Alongside three partners, he established a hotel management institution, which operated successfully until 1994.

In 1994, Ashok made a significant decision to start his own educational institution. Thus, IIMS (Indian Institute of Management Studies) was founded in the heart of Cochin City at the Aiswarya Building, Valanjambalam. Initially offering courses in hotel management and hospitality management, IIMS expanded its offerings to include diploma courses in food and beverage production under the leadership of Mr. Earnest Pappali.

Over the years, IIMS has experienced a significant influx of students, with more than 1,000 admissions annually. In 2005, the institution introduced the BSc Hotel Management, Catering, and Tourism Technology course under the affiliation of Punjab Technical University. Additionally, IIMS became a regional study center for MG University, offering MBA, BBA, BFT, and BCom courses. From 2013 to 2019, IIMS offered the BSc Catering Science and Hotel Management course affiliated with Bharathiar University, Coimbatore.

Indian Institute of Hotel Management Studies

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

I believe that the primary qualities that make a person a leader are the will to take action and the desire to always progress. I have been fortunate to have had great mentors throughout my life who have guided and inspired me to lead from the forefront. I consistently strive to uphold the values I have acquired from the most significant people in my life, and they have genuinely enriched my life and career. Another crucial aspect that I find in true leaders is their ability to acknowledge their own mistakes and, more importantly, learn from them. My philosophy revolves around these core virtues.

Any insights into how your college could be more welcoming to students of different races or economic backgrounds?

IIMS has always been a family that welcomes everyone who wishes to be a part of it. In celebration of 30 successful years in the education sector, we have allocated 30% of the seats for economically disadvantaged students across all the courses we offer. One of the most fundamental core values of our institute is to respect individuals who deserve it, and we adhere to this principle regardless of a person’s racial, economic, or cultural background. It is these human values that distinguish our institution from others.

How do you tend to establish a healthy relationship and environment in your college?

As I mentioned, everyone here at IIMS is a part of a large family. Many of our staff and teachers have been with us for an extended period, some since the very beginning. In an environment like ours, newcomers, both students and teachers, find it easy to acclimate and feel comfortable. What truly unites and uplifts our community is effective communication and a mindset oriented toward mutual assistance.

We celebrate every target or goal achieved, regardless of its scale. Our culture of communication and openness also encourages students to freely discuss any problems or challenges they might be facing. Together, we collaboratively find solutions to address them.

What do you think should be the college’s top priority over the next 10 years?

Our primary focus currently and for the foreseeable future is to expand the number of seats within our institution and to offer additional courses that ensure success in the hospitality industry. Our objectives also encompass enhancing our facilities, classrooms, labs, and office spaces. As a group, we set targets together, chart the pathway to achieve the target, and work towards it. We think about completing one step at a time and seeing ourselves achieve the main target. Priorities always change, but our desire to improve ourselves and the quality of education we provide remains constant.

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How do you try to bring in a practical approach towards subjects and make it industry oriented?

Besides the practical sessions we hold a few times a week, students undergo a three-month training period within a department and at a five-star hotel of their choice. Typically, this takes place towards the end of the course. The teaching model that our faculty follows includes a detailed explanation and demonstration of certain aspects relevant to the hospitality industry.

Additionally, we provide students with the opportunity to work part-time while pursuing their education. This offers them exposure to the industry while studying and also aids economically disadvantaged students in completing their education.

How does your college prepare students for placements? 

We design our curriculum based on the current trends and requirements of the industry. The training period I mentioned is the most effective way to prepare students for placements in top hotels, as it accelerates the development of their skills and knowledge. Regular workshops and seminars, conducted by experienced professionals, are organized to provide essential insights into the industry and its expectations. Personality development is a significant component of our curriculum, as molding students to become a seamless part of the industry and enhancing their overall attitude and behavior are crucial. Furthermore, guidance from our most experienced teachers and professors assists students in overcoming the challenges specific to the industry.

What are the challenges you faced/ are facing to uplift the quality of education of your college?

We have faced a lot of challenges since the beginning. Mostly, it was based on meeting certain requirements for the smooth functioning of the institute. For example, arranging part-time jobs in the same industry within a short distance from our college is a challenge when the number of students who require them is very high. The hospitality industry requires perfection in every action, and organizing internships and training in reputed five-star hotels, where there is no room for error, has always been a hassle. So, sometimes, our efforts to provide quality hands-on experience involve eliminating obstacles, but we managed to do it well. Unforeseen holidays or off days also hamper the continuity of education, and the entire education sector suffers from this.

When you set up this institute, what was your vision and how are you trying to achieve the same?

My vision has always been the same: to become the best at what we do, which is providing quality education and making successful careers. We have established ourselves as one of the best hotel management institutes in the state, and we wish to continue our progress. My very first course of action was to set a few values and principles for everyone within the institute to uphold. These values have gotten us through the most difficult of times. The success of any institution is a result of a dedicated team, and our IIMS team is dedicated to both our growth and the development of our students. Attention to detail, in my opinion, is paramount to developing any organization. We are still continuing on this path of development and reaping the rewards of our unwavering belief in our own values.

What do you see as the college’s greatest strengths and how can it be enhanced?

I see the strength of the college in the people here and in their actions. It’s our communication, positivity, and unity that propel us forward. The learning environment, coupled with the respect and compassion of current and former students, also encourages us. It can only be enhanced with continued development, more students, and by maintaining our mentality as a group. Our excellent reputation is our biggest achievement, and the experience the teachers and staff here have is what fortifies this institution.

What valuable advice would you like to give the students for them to have a prosperous career ahead?

I would like to convey to all students aspiring for success in life that as long as you remain disciplined and committed to your goals, happiness, and success will naturally follow. There will be challenging times, but determination can get you through anything. Make sure you stay determined for the right reasons. Yes, you need a bit of luck in life, but luck is just a reward for hard work. I wish all the determined students the very best in life!