Kennesaw State University and AURO University Partner to Shape Global Hospitality Leaders

By Author

Published on October 5, 2023

The global hospitality industry is poised for significant growth by 2027, but it also faces a severe staffing shortage. To tackle this challenge head-on, Kennesaw State University in Atlanta, Georgia, has joined hands with India's AURO University. Together, they aim to equip students with the skills needed to meet the global demands of the hospitality sector.

Recently, Kennesaw State and AURO University formalized their partnership with an agreement. This collaboration will involve faculty and student exchanges between the hospitality management programs at both institutions throughout the year. These exchanges will offer students from India and the U.S. valuable international insights into the hospitality industry, fostering cross-cultural awareness.

Robin Cheramie, Dean of the Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State, emphasized the global nature of the hospitality industry, stating, "Almost any organization our students work for will have international guests and clients or will operate in multiple countries. Partnering with AURO means our students will be better able to compete in the global marketplace."

Leaders from both universities gathered at Kennesaw State to formalize this partnership. Among them were H.P. Rama, Founder and President of AURO University, Suresh Mathur, AURO's Chief Operating Officer, and Leonard Jackson, Director of Kennesaw State's Hospitality Management program.

AURO University, established in 2011 by H.P. Rama, who is also the founding chairman of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association and current chairman of Auro Hotels, has earned a global reputation for producing quality hospitality professionals. AURO students in the hospitality program already undertake a one-year internship in the U.S. as part of their studies. With this partnership, these students will spend part of their time at Kennesaw's campus, interacting with peers, faculty, and gaining insights into the Metro Atlanta hospitality industry.

H.P. Rama highlighted the significance of this partnership, emphasizing that it goes beyond academic knowledge. He stated that students and faculty from both institutions would gain a deep understanding of cross-cultural values and diverse experiences. He also mentioned that the collaboration extends to Auro Hotels in the United States and India.

This partnership is a two-way street, allowing Kennesaw State students to visit India. The hospitality management faculty is planning an education abroad experience to India for Spring 2024. During this program, students will visit AURO's campus in Gujarat, Surat, and explore the surrounding region.

In addition to student exchanges, the agreement includes faculty exchanges. Both institutions are developing virtual and in-person exchanges, where faculty will share ideas on incorporating global perspectives into their teaching. Furthermore, there is interest in expanding these exchanges to include students and faculty from other disciplines.

With the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India projecting a shortage of 150,000 skilled workers in the luxury hotel market alone by 2029, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association reporting that 81 percent of hotel owners struggle to fill open positions, there's a bright future for well-trained, globally-focused hospitality professionals. The partnership between Kennesaw State University and AURO University positions students from both institutions to excel as leaders in this thriving industry.

AURO University, Surat, is one of the fastest-growing universities in Gujarat, inspired by the vision and teachings of Sri Aurobindo Ghosh and The Divine Mother. It offers programs in Business, Hospitality Management, Law, Information Technology, Design, Journalism & Mass Communication, Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, and Sri Aurobindo Integral Life Centre (SAILC). For more information, please visit AURO University's website.

Wilding Hotels enhances luxury stay with Volo in-room tablets, blending guest experience and sustainability

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 14, 2025

Wilding Hotels, renowned for its immersive wilderness retreats, has taken a decisive step in marrying luxury with sustainability by introducing Volo’s in-room concierge tablets across its properties. This strategic collaboration with Volo Solutions aims to modernise guest engagement, streamline operations, and support the brand’s strong eco-conscious mission.

"At Wilding Hotels, we focus on providing a seamless and elevated guest experience while fostering sustainability," shared Amy Hansen, Head of Hotel Operations. "Implementing Volo in-room tablets has enhanced guest experience, streamlined operations, and supported our sustainability goals."

The decision to integrate Volo was driven by the platform’s user-friendly interface, robust customisation options, and responsive customer support. The tablets, tailored to each Wilding location, allow guests to effortlessly explore hotel services, place orders, contact concierge, and access curated local recommendations—all from an in-room iPad. This has dramatically reduced response times and improved communication, freeing staff to focus on delivering more personalised, high-touch service.

A key advantage of adopting Volo’s digital solution is the elimination of traditional printed directories, menus, and brochures, significantly cutting down on paper waste and printing costs. This aligns seamlessly with Wilding’s sustainability initiatives without compromising on the luxury experience guests expect.

Beyond operational efficiency and eco benefits, the tablets have proven to be effective revenue drivers. They encourage guests to discover and book dining experiences, spa treatments, and bespoke adventures. Looking ahead, Wilding Hotels plans to deepen this digital experience with AI-led recommendations and smart room integrations that will further personalise each guest’s stay.

"Volo's intuitive platform and exceptional support made this transition seamless, and we've already seen increased engagement and revenue," Hansen added. "These tablets are central to delivering a high-touch experience aligned with our brand's luxury and innovation."

With properties in Alaska and Texas, Wilding Hotels continues to carve out its niche as a luxury wilderness brand that balances comfort with a deep respect for nature. The addition of Volo’s in-room tablets reaffirms this commitment—offering guests an effortless, modern stay while treading lightly on the planet.

For more details, visit getvolo.com and wildinghotels.com.

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Zoomcar Unveils ZoomPro Dashboard to Power India’s Evolving Self-Drive Fleet Economy

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 13, 2025

Zoomcar has introduced ZoomPro, a smart fleet management dashboard built to enhance the efficiency and performance of India’s self-drive mobility ecosystem. Tailored for large B2B fleet operators, the platform enables users to manage bookings, pricing, and vehicle performance with ease, marking a major step in Zoomcar’s vision of tech-led transformation.

ZoomPro arrives at a time when Zoomcar is celebrating strong performance in FY25, which includes a 10% year-on-year rise in bookings and an 86% surge in repeat users. These trends signal growing consumer confidence and the rising demand for tech-enabled self-drive options.

“We’re building more than a marketplace, we’re enabling the operating system for self-drive mobility in India,” said Anirudh Lamba, Head of Marketing and Partnerships at Zoomcar. “With ZoomPro, our B2B toolkit empowers fleet operators to drive better performance, higher earnings, and superior guest experiences at scale.”

The dashboard offers a data-first interface that reflects how modern operators function across multiple cities and users. It provides real-time insights on vehicle metrics and customer behavior, allowing for more accurate decision-making and enhanced fleet control.

According to Vishal Ramrakhyani, Head of Engineering, “ZoomPro has been designed to scale with our partners. It supports long-term growth through tools like bulk onboarding, AI-powered recommendations, and soon, LLM-based customer support for faster and more personalized issue resolution.”

Zoomcar’s FY25 milestones also include a USD 4.25 million contribution profit at a 47% margin, a 58% rise in high-rated host vehicles, and a 67% drop in operational losses, validating its pivot to partner-first innovation.

The launch of ZoomPro is set to redefine how India's self-drive car rental sector operates, offering greater transparency, higher efficiency, and scalable tools for large fleet operators aiming to stay ahead in a rapidly growing market.