Pranav Pahwa
Master of International Hospitality Management student
He chose the Master of International Hospitality Management to prepare himself for leadership roles in the hospitality industry, says Pranav Pahwa who came to AUT as an international student from India.
“I chose this degree as during my bachelor’s degree in my home country India I was able to learn the practical applications required to excel in the hospitality industry. I wanted to back that up with an understanding of how to be a manager in this dynamic, fast paced and volatile industry.
“What I’ve appreciated most about AUT is that it’s a university with great diversity and great lecturers who are willing to put in the effort to support students. I’d like to recommend this programme to anyone and everyone who is eyeing up leadership positions in the hospitality industry and willing to put in the effort to achieve holistic development in the industry.”
Adjusting to postgraduate study in a different country had its challenges, he admits, but he is grateful for all the support available to help him through these.
“For me, the biggest challenge was to settle into the new style of studies. Being from India, I was used to written and practical examinations, but not to doing extensive research as part of my studies. That was a new challenge and the AUT lecturers, especially during my first semester, understood that and guided me through how to write papers and how to do proper research.”
Exploring the role of skill competitions
For his master’s degree research, Pranav decided to focus on the role of skill competitions in the hospitality industry and their importance to a country like New Zealand.
“I was drawn to this research topic because I participated in one of the largest skill-based competitions, WorldSkills, in 2021 back when I was in India.
“I wanted to explore the possibilities of implementing similar competitions in New Zealand to enlarge the skill pool for the hospitality industry, and create a better and more rewarding environment in hospitality in New Zealand.”
Pranav’s research was supervised by Associate Professor David Williamson from AUT’s School of Hospitality and Tourism.
Advice for other students
Expecting to graduate from AUT at the end of 2024, Pranav has some great advice for other students.
“Don’t give up on the first failure; rather try to understand what you could do to improve.
“My other piece of advice is never to shy away from asking for help if you need it.”
