BHM Students Explore the Future of Hospitality at IKEA Bangalore Field Visit

The Faculty of Hospitality Management & Catering Technology (FHMCT), Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences organized a valuable field visit for its 5th Semester Bachelor of Hospitality Management (BHM) students (Batch 2023–27) to IKEA Bangalore on August 29, 2025. This hands-on experience provided 20 students with a unique perspective on modern customer service operations.

The visit was specifically designed to help students understand the growing trend of self-checkout in the hospitality industry. As self-service technology becomes a norm in business hotels, this practical exposure is crucial. Under the guidance of Mr. Pawan from IKEA's Customer Relations team, students learned how guests can manage their process independently, eliminating queues and enhancing efficiency.

Students had the unique opportunity to perform a self-checkout on a kiosk for a purchased item, gaining firsthand experience that is often restricted in hotels due to security protocols. The visit was successfully facilitated by Ms. Shweta Jha, a faculty member from the Front Office department, reinforcing the university's commitment to industry-aligned learning.

By bridging the gap between classroom theory and real-world application, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences is dedicated to preparing its hospitality management students to become well-rounded professionals ready for the future of the industry.