TTT NEWS NETWORK
KOLKATA | 8 OCTOBER 2026
NIPS Institute of Hotel Management has appointed veteran hospitality professional Shekhar Mukherjee as Executive Director, bringing more than four decades of industry experience into the institution’s academic and professional development ecosystem.
An alumnus of IHM Kolkata, Mukherjee brings 42 years of experience in the hospitality sector, with expertise spanning hotel operations, food and beverage, flight catering, people management and service excellence. He most recently served as General Manager of TajSATS Kolkata and has held leadership roles involving large teams, operational excellence, service standards and talent development. He also served for nearly eight years on the Board of Governors of IHM Kolkata.
At NIPS, Mukherjee will focus on strengthening the connection between hospitality education and industry practice, with a particular emphasis on student mentoring, faculty capability building, industry engagement and employability.
His experience will be leveraged to bring greater exposure to the realities of hospitality operations within the learning environment. This will include areas such as professional communication, workplace behaviour, guest handling, decision-making, leadership, operational discipline and management-trainee preparedness. The role will also focus on helping faculty remain closely aligned with evolving industry practices and employer expectations.
Dr. Vivek Pathak, Founder Director, NIPS Institute of Hotel Management, said: “The transition from hospitality education to the workplace needs to begin much before a student reaches the placement stage. Mr. Mukherjee brings an exceptional depth of experience in developing people, managing operations and understanding the expectations of the hospitality industry. His presence at NIPS will allow us to bring that perspective into the classroom, mentoring process and overall student journey, helping young professionals become better prepared for the realities and responsibilities of the industry.”
Commenting on his appointment, Shekhar Mukherjee, Executive Director, NIPS Institute of Hotel Management, said: “The hospitality industry is constantly evolving, and the expectations from young professionals are changing along with it. Academic knowledge provides the foundation, but students also need to understand professional conduct, service standards, teamwork, accountability and the realities of the workplace. I look forward to working with NIPS to strengthen this connection between education and industry, while contributing to the development of students and faculty through greater exposure to contemporary hospitality practices.”
Mukherjee’s appointment will also support NIPS in strengthening engagement with industry stakeholders, universities and academic bodies on areas including curriculum development, employability, industry exposure and the changing skill requirements of hospitality employers.
Mukherjee superannuated from IHCL in March 2026 and continues to remain connected with the hospitality sector through a process-improvement and advisory association with Speciality Restaurants Limited.
With this appointment, NIPS aims to further strengthen the continuum between curriculum, classroom learning, industry exposure, internships and career development. The institution seeks to equip students not only for their first professional opportunity but also with the capabilities, professional maturity and leadership orientation required to build long-term careers in the hospitality industry.
About NIPS Institute of Hotel Management:
Established in 1993, NIPS Institute of Hotel Management is a hospitality education institution offering undergraduate, diploma, certificate and postgraduate programmes in hospitality and related disciplines. With campuses in Eastern India, NIPS focuses on industry-oriented education, practical learning, internships and global career exposure, preparing students for opportunities across hospitality, culinary, tourism and allied sectors.
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