Students and academics from 12 Portuguese cities have arrived in Goa, to familiarise themselves with Indian hospitality, cuisine and culture, as part of a broader cultural exchange program between India and Portugal.
The delegation received a traditional welcome on arrival at the V. M. Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality Education (VMSIIHE) campus. The Portuguese delegation hosted by VMSIIHE, will undergo a four-week intensive program which features a packed curriculum including field trips, practi-cum-work sessions and visits to various companies in Goa as part of the ‘Collaborative International Training and Education program’ with Turismo de Portugal, a government body which is also responsible for selecting the visiting students from various hospitality institutes in Portugal. 
This is the first cultural exchange program organised by the Institute, post pandemic. The visiting delegation of students and faculty will get a first-hand experience of classic Indian hospitality through a well-planned itinerary put together by the faculty of the Goa-based institute. Their intensive itinerary in Goa also includes activities like an insightful visit to the Margao market which is well-known for having a wide assortment of traditional fruits and vegetables. They will also be attending several lectures from experts on tourism trends in Goa and India.
Going beyond the theoretical world of hospitality studies, there will also be several instructional demonstrations by faculty and guest chefs who will introduce the international delegation to the vast, flavourful world of Indian cuisine. The delegation will also be introduced to the wonders of Feni, Goa’s indigenous liquor, on their visits to various farms and distilleries in the state. They will also be introduced to several culturally diverse experiences, which include visits to historical temples, UNESCO World Heritage sites in Old Goa, tribal villages, among other locations of significant interest.
The objective of the exchange program is to improve professional expertise and cultural integration in the hospitality and tourism sectors between Portugal and India, as well as to increase interaction between teachers and students. The highlight of this year’s program will be Indian cuisine and hospitality.
Indian cuisine is known globally for its richness and variety. The diversity of the soil, climate, culture, ethnic groups and occupations all play a definitive role in making the cuisine stand out globally. Classes on Indian meat and poultry preparations and variations of Indian vegetables and spices will also be conducted for the delegation.
The four week-long program will conclude with the VMSIIHE issuing certificates of training to the visiting students and teachers.
“In 2017, we collaborated with Turismo de Portugal to bring forward this exchange program. Tourism is a thriving industry in Portugal. We can work together to improve the level of instruction we provide to our students. We are carefully collaborating with the Portuguese student group to give them a taste of India’s rich gastronomic and cultural legacy. This is the first time we are hosting the students after the pandemic, and we are ecstatic to have such a versatile and enthusiastic group of budding hoteliers at our campus. We hope this visit truly helps an exchange of ideas and knowledge between the two countries” says Professor Irfan Mirza, Director and Principal of the V.M. Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality Education. The second leg of the cultural exchange program will involve students of VMSIIHE visiting Portugal on a similar trip soon to raise awareness of the value of training for the growth and sustainability of the tourism industry in both countries .
Professor Suresh Bhargava, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia visits BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus
Distinguished Professor Suresh Bhargava, Dean, Research & Innovation, Director for CAMIC STEM College, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University, Melbourne, Australia, visited BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus this month.
The visit was aimed to enhance collaborations in the field of research between BITS Pilani and RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia. 
Professor Bhargava also delivered a lecture entitled ‘Redefining Innovation with some real examples’ during this visit. The lecture was attended by Prof Suman Kundu, Director, K K Birla Goa Campus, students and faculty members of Goa Campus. Prof S K Barai, Director, Pilani Campus, students and faculty members from Pilani, Hyderabad and Dubai Campuses also joined the session via elepresence interaction. The event was coordinated by International Programmes and Collaboration Division.
