Uttarakhand has emerged as a natural leader in hospitality. We are working to develop a program to bridge this leading Indian ecosystem with a global leader in hospitality – Thailand. For this we are bringing together the Veer Madho Singh Bhandari Uttarakhand Technical University and Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand.
In a landmark move to strengthen international ties within the service sector, under the leadership of Prof. Tripta Thakur, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Veer Madho Singh Bhandari Uttarakhand Technical University (UTU) (VMSBUTU) , members from Indian Culinary Agenda Om Routray, Tanushree Bhowmik, and Uttarakhand Hospitality Institutes Officals, Dr. Shiv Mohan, Ihm Himgiri- Institute of Hotel Management Dehradun, Mr. Manish Bhardwaj, KIHM, Dehradun and Mr. D.S. Martoliya, GIHM, Almora, the meeting was convened & coordinated by Dr. Shilpi, Faculty, VMSBUTU on January 20, 2026.
The meeting served as a strategic platform to bridge the gap between two of the world’s most renowned hospitality ecosystems. The primary focus of the summit was to foster bilateral cooperation in creating sustainable employment opportunities and advancing women’s empowerment within the industry.
Key Objectives of the Meeting
The delegation discussed a comprehensive roadmap to integrate the strengths of Indian and Thai culinary traditions with modern hospitality management. Key highlights included:
• Bilateral Employment Pipelines: Establishing streamlined pathways for hospitality professionals to share expertise and access job markets in both India and Thailand.
• Women’s Empowerment Initiatives: Developing specialized training programs and leadership workshops designed to elevate the role of women in professional kitchens and hotel management.
• Curriculum Integration: Exploring ways to align and integrate international internships and global exposure in hospitality education under VMSBUTU with international standards, particularly focusing on the “AIT” (Asian Institute of Technology) framework.
• Fostering a Global Ecosystem – The hospitality sectors of India and Thailand are global benchmarks for service excellence. By aligning these two powerhouses, ICA seeks to create a robust network that not only boosts the economy but also promotes cultural exchange through the culinary arts especially focusing more on upliftment of women in hospitality sector.
“This meeting aimed at initiating a discussing and proposed the beginning of a transformative era where the synergy between India and Thailand will set new standards for hospitality education and gender inclusivity,” stated a representative from the hospitality board.
