The city of Pune is widely regarded by as a safe and quiet city, fashioned around lush green gardens and surrounded by hills. Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), formerly known as University of Pune (UoP) is located in the centre of Pune city and is a prestigious landmark. This grand university is spread over 411 acres of land is also a pride of Punekars. Established on February 10, 1949, SPPU has been providing a stage for millions of aspiring students to realize their potential and excel in all walks of their lives.

Pune is aptly known as “Oxford of the East” for providing excellent education institutions. SPPU has a rich legacy and continues to be the beacon for quality education and research. The university is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) as “University with Potential for Excellence”, as well as re-accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with the highest grading of A+. It is worthwhile to mention that UGC has nominated SPPU to represent India in the “Internationalization of Higher Education” program of UGC. Savitribai Phule Pune University has always been the forefront of evolving new paradigms, which is a testimony of path-breaking and innovative thought process. With more than 50 academic departments and each of them having their own separate buildings in the campus, the university is ranked among the Top 10 Universities by National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), 2019. Times Higher Education has placed SPPU at number two in the Top Universities in India.

Department of Management Sciences (PUMBA) on the campus of Savitribai Phule Pune University is one of the first Management Institutes in India. Established in the year 1971, Pumba celebrates 50 glorious years of leadership excellence in 2021 and is one of the premier B-schools in India. Home to MBA, MBA (PharmaBiotechnology), MBA Executive, Doctorate and Post Doctorate program. PUMBA has a legacy of pioneering many initiatives. Adding one more to its many firsts was the launch of one-of its-kind unique undergraduate programme – BBA in Hospitality and Facilities Management (HFM).

BBA HFM is a pioneering course commenced in 2018 and has added to the bounty of PUMBA by providing excellence and staying true to all the ideals of PUMBA. There is abundant scope to gain new skills, holistic growth and development of young learners, paving them a path to success and add to knowledge and make a difference globally.

Dr Prafulla Pawar, Registrar and Director of SPPU School of Business, also former HoD of PUMBA during his tenure commenced BBA(HFM) with a vision to offer specialized skills to join the ever-growing services industry. In his words “the endeavour to is to nurture and mentor young minds and provide our students with every possible input required to gain a clear understanding of the fundamentals of service sector for enhanced employability.” Such student-centric education approach will empower the upcoming generations.

BBA(HFM) MISSION STATEMENT:

To be an institution of excellence manoeuvring highly motivated professionals with advancement & dissemination in the field of hospitality and facility management.

BBA(HFM) Course Outcomes –

The Bachelor of Hospitality and Facilities Management (BBA-HFM) is a three-year full-time degree course.

BBA in Hospitality and Facilities Management is a professional management discipline that focuses on efficient and effective delivery of support services to organizations. The curriculum of the program is crafted to bridge the ever-growing demand of the services industry. This course is one of its kind which provides a distinctive combination of business administration with a thrust on study and application of service management. Varied and comprehensive elements of retail, facilities, event, hospitality and customer relationship management have been incorporated to enrich the curriculum. The course prepares students with analytical, administrative, interpersonal and technological skills. It propels high standards in education and professional finesse to hone competencies in the field of management. In the words of Dr. Surbhi Jain, Professor and Head of Department of PUMBA, “The syllabus of three years of BBA (HFM) includes a plethora of curricular and co-curricular activities.” She further adds that “the course offers a blended system that amalgamates personalized inputs, with online and offline delivery”. Importantly, it also offers students to work in subject specific laboratories that give them real-life simulation experience, allowing them to work on their own and develop skills that open avenues of corporate placements, further studies and innovative start-ups”.

Popular Across Borders

The course attracts both Indian and international students. In the current academic year of BBA (HFM) we have an international batch of students from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Africa and Afghanistan, Middle East.

The service industry in India and world over has been growing steadily over the past few years. Even through this pandemic situation, the sector has been able to recover quite quickly. Automation has taken over in many industries including hospitality, facility, retail operations. However, all service sectors with a customer interface will remain being dominated by humans rather than automations taking over completely.

The course inputs help students to hone their personalities and develop a competitive advantage that holds them in good stead upon attaining the degree. Graduating students can select from an array of work and study opportunities.

Student Co-curricular and Enrichment Activities

DR Deepa Prasad Venkatraman coursecoordinator BBA(HFM) said that “We emphasise on co-curricular and enrichment activities which bring holistic development of our students. Events are conducted by students with guidance from senior student cell members of MBA. There are several cells that a student of BBA (HFM) must join, contribute and gain from these invaluable learning experiences, which bring in a great deal of esprit de corps among them”.

The various co-curricular and enrichment activities that a student is part of is

Cultural Activity

It is responsible for various events organized by the student body of PUMBA. Understanding the importance of social and cultural activities required for preparing students for real life and strengthening their personal skills, the cell puts in the greatest efforts to create a platform for students to showcase their vibrant persona. At PUMBA, the Cultural Cell emboldens activities that not only teach students how to work for a common goal but also to develop a sense of responsibility.

Communication activity

The students’ forum regularly uses social media as well as print media to communicate with various stakeholders. The objective is to manage as well as promote the PUMBA brand. This cell makes sure that the recent developments in the department reach the outer world from time to time.

The media team focuses mainly on student activities, creating content and flaring it to the appropriate audience. They work with the ideas which they structure under proper guidance and mentorship to create impactful outcomes.

Entrepreneurship Development activity

The Entrepreneurship Development forum of students is always enthusiastic to motivate students by carrying out various entrepreneurial activities and events. The prime focus is to develop a sustained platform that supports students in starting up, showcasing their skills and structuring their thoughts in the less explored field of entrepreneurship and thereby realizing their ideas and converting them to reality.

PUMBA Helping Hands (PHH)

PUMBA’s Helping Hands are driven by social compassion and sense of responsibility and is a student-led initiative. Despite having all the cells which professionally groomed the students of PUMBA, the department lacked a platform where students could give something back to the society. PUMBA’s Helping Hands has tried to fill this gap with its work. The activities range from awareness campaigns to blood donation.

Seminar Activity

It conducts various seminars by inviting guests from the industry. The various activities held by this cell help to get a better exposure of the industry and guides the students in their future path BBA HFM conducts many activities such as seminars, guest lectures, field visit, competitions corporate exposure, and webinars. They celebrate various days such as Women’s Day, World Tourism Day, World Environment Day, and other days important to their industry.

Career Opportunities

The Placement & Corporate Relations Cell of PUMBA (BBA- HFM) is entirely operated and managed by dedicated force students, functioning under the guidance of the Training and Placement Co-ordinator Dr. Arati Prabhu and the department authorities. The Cell acts as an interface between the industry and the department with the primary objective of nurturing a long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship with the corporate world, and also acts as a facilitator to provide the right opportunities for the students at BBA (HFM) course at PUMBA. The cell maintains an ever-growing database of the corporate contacts and closely liaison with each of them. This helps in better understanding of the expectations and requirements of the industry, and serves to fulfil them. The Placement Cell tirelessly endeavours to help the students at BBA (HFM), PUMBA to put their best foot forward while stepping into the corporate world.

On completing the course, students opting for placement will be placed in top organisations of service sectors.

Eligibility

BBA (HFM) degree is open to all students who have passed XII from Science, Commerce, Arts, or Vocational streams with English as a subject. The minimum aggregate marks required are 45% for open category and 40% for reserved category. This course is very practical and requires hands on learning complemented with theoretical learning. An all-India online entrance exam is conducted for Indian students and merit-based admission for this course which has a limited number of seats. International students apply to SPPU International Centre.

The intake capacity for the BBA(HFM) course is limited and it has witnessed a tremendous response in attracting applications. Admission information will be available on the department’s website- www.pumba.in, one may connect on @pumbabbahfm on Facebook and Instagram, or email queries to pumba.bbahfm@gmail.

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