Hilton Worldwide Signs Strategic Partnership Agreement with Christ University’s Department of Hotel Management to Groom India’s Hospitality Talent

Leading global hospitality company partners with one of India’s premier educational institutions to offer aspiring talent the best of theoretical knowledge and practical training

BANGALORE, India and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton Worldwide and Christ University’s Department of Hotel Management, have signed an agreement to cultivate talent for the country’s rapidly growing hospitality industry. Under the Hilton Class programme, Hilton Worldwide will offer students from Christ University rigorous on-the-job practical training and a theoretical curriculum designed to equip them for successful careers in hospitality.

“The introduction of the Hilton Class programme reiterates our commitment to developing our portfolio in India, one of the key strategic markets for Hilton Worldwide. We are delighted with this opportunity to nurture talent for the growing hospitality industry in this country. Besides providing Hilton Worldwide with access to best-in-class talent to support our expansion, we believe this initiative will also benefit the industry as more trained students enter the workplace,” said Martin Rinck, President - Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide.

Under the partnership, every year, 15 first-year students will be selected for the Hilton Class programme by Hilton Worldwide and Christ University. Each student will be offered a 24-week internship at hotels and resorts operated by the leading global hospitality company through the four-year Bachelor in Hotel Management (BHM) course at Christ University. In addition, Hilton Worldwide will organise guest lectures, on-site visits and e-learning programmes specially designed to prepare students for the workplace. Upon graduation, outstanding students would also be able to secure job offers from properties operated by Hilton Worldwide.

“The Hilton Class offers our students an exciting opportunity to be trained by one of the biggest and highly-recognised names in the industry. The collaboration will also keep our faculty and students up-to-date with the latest trends in the industry. We are confident that the programme will better prepare our students for the workplace and enhance the employment opportunities available to them upon graduation,” said Sushil Dwarkanath, Head of Department of Hotel Management, Christ University.

With the rising demand for talent in India’s rapidly expanding hospitality industry, Hilton Worldwide is actively exploring initiatives to nurture a pool of talent for its expansion needs and to support the development of the industry. Apart from entering into strategic partnerships with hospitality and tourism institutions, the company also invests heavily in the training and development needs of its team members in India. Promising team members are offered career development opportunities across the company’s more than 4,000 hotels globally with access to professional training and tailor made career development plans. A fast track management development programme is also in place to groom outstanding talent into senior roles within a reduced time frame.

About Christ University
Christ University is affiliated with Bangalore University. Established in July 1969, it became the preferred educational institution in Bangalore within the first three decades. In the past decade, it has been continually rated among the top 10 educational institutions in the country. In 2008, Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India, declared it a university.

The Department of Hotel Management was started in1991. The flagship programme of the department is the four-year Bachelor in Hotel Management (BHM), which is a combination of management and hotel operation courses. The department also offers a diploma and a few hands-on certificate courses. Visit www.christuniversity.in for more information.


About Hilton Worldwide Hilton Worldwide is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxury and full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and focused-service hotels. For 94 years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company’s portfolio of ten world-class global brands is comprised of more than 4,000 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties, with more than 665,000 rooms in 90 countries and territories, including Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.