15 September
Waknaghat, Solan
The School of Hospitality and Tourism at Bahra University, in association with the Training Department, successfully concluded a five-day Employability and Interview-Readiness Programme for final-year students of Hotel Management and Travel and Tourism Management. The programme focused on developing professional confidence, communication skills, interview preparedness and industry-oriented competencies among students preparing to enter the hospitality and tourism sector.
A major highlight of the programme was an interactive session by Dr Daman Ahuja, a distinguished public health and community engagement expert with more than three decades of experience in India’s development sector. Currently serving as a Member of the Institutional Ethics Committee of the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW), Dr Ahuja engaged with students on mindfulness, wellbeing, mental preparedness, self-confidence and maintaining a positive outlook in professional life.
Addressing the students, Dr Ahuja emphasised that professional success is not determined only by technical knowledge but also by confidence, emotional wellbeing, communication and the ability to remain composed under pressure. His session encouraged students to develop a balanced approach towards personal wellbeing and professional responsibilities, particularly while facing interviews, workplace challenges and career transitions.
Dr Ahuja brings extensive experience of working with leading national and international organisations and institutions, including the National Health Mission, UNICEF, National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), PGI Chandigarh and the Population Foundation of India. He was also associated with the Red Ribbon Express campaign, for which he received a National Award for exemplary coordination. As part of the campaign, he travelled extensively across India and facilitated public awareness initiatives on HIV/AIDS.
His professional contribution also includes leading Community Action for Health training programmes across 24 states, helping develop a pool of more than 5,000 trainers from diverse sections of society. A visiting faculty member at several universities, Dr Ahuja is also the author of five books and has contributed to leading Hindi newspapers. His association with All India Radio and Doordarshan as an anchor and presenter further reflects his expertise in communication and public engagement.
The five-day career readiness and employability programme provided students with practical exposure to several aspects of professional recruitment and workplace preparedness. The sessions covered group discussions, interview techniques, self-introduction, the STAR method, mock interviews, hospitality case studies, hotel operations, leadership, conflict resolution and professional communication.
The programme also featured interactions with industry and professional experts, including Ms Harshita Dev, Mr Sumit Verma, Mr Yuvraj Tiwana, Mr Anurag Avasthi and Ms Shaveta Chauhan, who shared practical insights and guidance with students on career opportunities, workplace expectations and professional development in the hospitality and tourism industry.
Dr Vikesh Kashyap, Head of the Department of Hotel Management and Tourism, Bahra University, said that the programme was designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry expectations. He highlighted that exposure to mock interviews, case studies, group discussions and interactions with experienced professionals helps students build the confidence and competencies required to successfully transition into professional careers.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. R.P. Nainta congratulated the participating students and appreciated the efforts of the organising team, faculty members, training department and industry experts for creating a practical and industry-oriented learning environment.
Chancellor Sardar Gurvinder Singh Bahra congratulated the students and wished them a bright and successful future. He said that Bahra University remains committed to industry-oriented education, experiential learning and career-focused skill development, enabling students to graduate as confident, competent and industry-ready professionals.
The successful completion of the programme reflects Bahra University’s continued focus on employability, professional skills, student wellbeing and industry readiness, particularly for students pursuing careers in hospitality management, hotel management, travel and tourism management.
