Prof. (Dr.) Rajiv Mishra: Trailblazing a Transformative Era in Hospitality & Tourism Education

Rajiv Mishra
Prof. (Dr.) Rajiv Mishra, Dean, School of Hospitality & Tourism at Galgotias University

As the global education landscape evolves with transformative momentum, India stands out as a trailblazer, seamlessly blending its timeless heritage with bold forays into uncharted academic horizons. The rise of interdisciplinary fields such as hospitality and tourism education exemplifies this transformation, focusing on cultivating skilled professionals and globally aware, socially responsible leaders ready to shape the future.

In this transformative era, Galgotias University in Greater Noida embodies the spirit of this educational renaissance. With a strong commitment to shaping future leaders, the University stands as a beacon of innovation, fostering an environment where academic excellence meets real-world relevance. At the helm of the School of Hospitality & Tourism, Prof. (Dr.) Rajiv Mishra, with a career spanning over 24 years, is an educator whose expertise and passion inspire students to explore new dimensions of learning and growth.

As the Dean and Professor at the School of Hospitality & Tourism at Galgotias University in Greater Noida, Dr. Mishra has been instrumental in shaping academic programs and developing innovative initiatives that equip students for thriving careers in the hospitality and tourism sector. His enthusiasm for teaching has motivated and guided countless students who have gone on to achieve professional success.

Dr. Mishra’s enduring commitment to excellence and his visionary approach to shaping the future of education leave an indelible mark on all who work alongside him. With a steadfast passion for nurturing talent and empowering others to achieve their fullest potential, he stands as a beacon of inspiration. His remarkable contributions to education elevate the field and ensure a lasting legacy for generations to come.

Prof. (Dr.) Rajiv Mishra hails from the culturally and historically rich area of Bhagalpur, Bihar, famed for the ancient ‘Vikramshila Mahavihara (University)’, a symbol of India’s educational and cultural heritage. His family roots trace back to Kharhara in Banka, Bihar, a place celebrated for its legacy of bravery, pride, and the heroism of Amar Saheed Satish. Born into an engineering family, he is the son of the late Shri Mani Kant Mishra, a highly respected senior engineer in the Public Works Department (Bihar Engineering Service). Prof. Mishra’s family reflects his dedication to education and achievement. His wife, Dr. Namrata Mishra, is an Associate Professor and Program Chair at the School of Business, Galgotias University, and their son, Rishik Vatsa, excels as a Grade V student at DPS, Greater Noida.

A Legacy of Learning and Leadership

Prof. (Dr.) Rajiv Mishra commenced his career in hospitality at The Leela Palace Kempinski in Bangalore. He is an alumnus of the inaugural batch of India’s four-year bachelor’s degree program in hotel management from Mangalore University, where he also served as a University Senate Representative.

As Dr. Mishra progressed in his career, his constant pursuit of knowledge and excellence led him to acquire impressive academic qualifications and achievements in Hospitality & Tourism. His commitment to enhancing education and scholarship intensified over time. With triple master’s degrees in Hospitality Management, Tourism & Travel Management, and Business Administration, along with a Doctorate in Management, he established new academic benchmarks. His journey reached its pinnacle with the distinguished attainment of postdoctoral degrees: Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) in Management and Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in Hospitality & Tourism Management, representing the highest academic success.

He has been honored as a ‘Fellow’ of multiple organizations, including the Institute of Hospitality in London, Hospitality International Standards in Malaysia, the Management and Business Research Council in the USA, the Institute of Scholars in India, Centre for Education Growth and Research, Education Research & Development Association, Institute of Scholars International Publishers, International Organization for Academic and Scientific Development, and Scholars Academic and Scientific Society in India. The Union Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, acknowledged his ‘Doctoral Research Thesis’ for its credibility, originality, and significant exploration.

Following a wealth of experience and knowledge in the hospitality sector, Dr. Mishra evolved into a knowledgeable academician and skilled academic administrator, deeply engaged in academic administration and consulting, hospitality and tourism education, learning and development, research, operations, and relationship management. His 15-year tenure with the Manipal Education Group was highly rewarding. He was associated with Sikkim Manipal University and the ITC Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (recognized as a world-class institution and honored as an ‘Institution of Eminence’).

Dr. Mishra’s illustrious career is enriched with a multitude of professional and academic credentials earned from globally renowned institutions:

  • Certified Hospitality Manager: Leadership – American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute, USA.
  • Accredited Management Teacher – All India Management Association, New Delhi.
  • Credentialed University Teacher – The University of Hong Kong.
  • Trained Professional Teacher – Commonwealth Education Trust, London.
  • Certified Microsoft Innovative Educator – Microsoft Corporation, USA.
  • Certified Online Hospitality Educator – American Hospitality Academy & Online World Campus, USA.
  • Credentialed Revenue Manager – ESSEC Business School, France.
  • Certified in Coaching Skills – Harvard Business Publishing, USA.
  • Certified Online Teacher – The Open University, UK.
  • Certified Vocational Trainer – City & Guilds, London.
  • International Certified Career Coach – Career Development Alliance, USA.
  • Certified TOURISMx: Tourism and Travel Management – University of Queensland, Australia.
  • Certified Internal Auditor (Quality Audit) – International Organization of Standardization, Geneva.
  • Certified in Communication & Business English – English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad.
  • Certified ‘EduNxt’ Faculty – Manipal Education Group, India.
  • CertifiedGalgotias Student-Centered Active Learning EcosystemFaculty – Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

 

Dr. Mishra, a dedicated leader and inspiring educator, is renowned for his innovation, ethics, and commitment to excellence. He is passionate about transforming young minds into future leaders and responsible citizens. His expertise in technology-driven learning, hospitality research, and instructional design has significantly elevated education quality in hospitality and tourism management. Transitioning from Manipal to Greater Noida posed challenges, but with thoughtful deliberation and the support of colleagues, family, and senior management, Dr. Mishra embraced the opportunity to further his impactful vision.

Quest to Create a Scholastic Society

Dr. Mishra is dedicated to driving societal change through education and establishing academic standards that align with social, ecological, and economic impacts. As the Dean of the School of Hospitality and Tourism at Galgotias University, he manages its expansion and development while promoting its branding nationally and internationally. He analyzes market needs and encourages his students to be more extroverted and interactive, emphasizing critical thinking and communication skills.

Additionally, Dr. Mishra is dedicated to instilling a deep sense of pride in Indian identity while fostering a commitment to global well-being, embodying the values of a true global citizen. He emphasizes the foundational principles of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, such as access, affordability, equity, quality, and accountability, as crucial elements of a modern education system. Dr. Mishra prioritizes student engagement through relationship management and soft-skills training within a personalized, simulated learning environment while also integrating social and community responsibilities.

Dr. Mishra’s educational philosophy is holistic and aims to nurture a knowledgeable and responsible society. His resolute commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and technological contributions is evident in all his endeavors. He firmly believes that Indian education must adopt a comprehensive approach to cultivate a scholarly society.

Paving Constructive Learning Paths with G-SCALE: The Future of Student-Centered Active Learning

As an educational leader, Prof. (Dr.) Rajiv Mishra passionately aligns his educational philosophy and holistic learning trajectories with Galgotias University’s trailblazing G-SCALE (Galgotias Student-Centered Active Learning Ecosystem) – a revolutionary initiative and transformative endeavour that reshapes education through active, collaborative, and technology-driven learning.


This transformative G-SCALE vision has been developed under the expert mentorship of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (a top-ranked global institution known for its research, innovation, and academic excellence). It fosters an interactive, student-centric learning environment that nurtures essential real-world skills such as creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and innovation. It moves beyond rote memorization to immersive, hands-on education and engaging real-world applications. Students engage deeply with course material, enhance peer collaboration, and apply knowledge in real-world scenarios by integrating artificial intelligence (AI)- powered adaptive learning, gamified pedagogy, and active learning methods such as Think-Pair-Share, Jigsaw, Role-Play, Flipped Classroom, Problem-Based, and Case-Based Learning. Modern collaborative smart classrooms equipped with interactive panels, ultra-fast internet, high-quality audiovisual (AV) systems, and digital interactive tools like – Wooclap, Wooflash, Padlet, Mentimeter, and Kahoot, along with flexible learning spaces further enhance students’ dynamic learning experiences.


Galgotias University takes pride in leading this revolutionary shift, setting new global benchmarks in teaching-learning excellence and redefining the future of higher education through global pedagogical innovations.

Blueprint for Inspired Leadership and Learning

Dr. Mishra urges aspiring professionals in hospitality and tourism to embody the ‘10-Is’ philosophy – Interactive, Interesting, Innovative, Inspiring, Insightful, Influential, Intuitive, Inventive, Impactful, and Imaginative – as key traits for success.

He also prioritizes key strategies to motivate and guide the youth, including student-centered active learning, blended learning, authentic and collaborative experiences, and active involvement in community and extension activities. Dr. Mishra highlights the significance of fostering non-cognitive skills, such as social and emotional learning, and promotes project-based learning to cultivate critical thinking and essential 21st-century competencies like creativity, collaboration, and leadership. Additionally, he underscores the value of personalized learning, advocating for diverse approaches to representation and engagement that spark curiosity and sustain motivation.

Medals of Merit

Dr. Mishra is a highly acclaimed and decorated leader in hospitality and tourism education, renowned for his numerous accolades. His noteworthy honours, awards, and recognitions include:

  • Outstanding Higher Education Stalwart Award by The Economic Times – Education Excellence Awards.
  • Global Hospitality Dean of the Year by Hospitality International Standards (HIS) for outstanding leadership and contributions to hospitality and tourism education across Malaysia, Dubai, Canada, India, the UK, and the EU.
  • Corporate Hospitality Educator of India, awarded the IHE Excellence Award at the India-International Hospitality Exposition.
  • Best Visionary Leader, honored with the Perficio Award by DHS Foundation (UPACRI), India, and University Malaysia Kelantan, Malaysia.
  • Outstanding Leadership Award in Higher Education from the Iconic Fames Awards.
  • ERDA Excellence Award for Academic Leadership at the ERDA Global Summit and Awards.
  • Distinguished Dean (bestowed with International Award for Excellence in Education) by the Star International Foundation for Research and Education.
  • Top 10 Educators Shaping Minds in India by Educador Magazine for elevating Hospitality & Tourism Education.
  • Best Dean of Hospitality & Tourism (Greater Noida – NCR Region) by AAHAR WAYS, a prestigious food and hospitality media publication.
  • Most Impactful Education Leader in India by Knowledge Review Magazine.
  • Best Dean of Hospitality & Tourism in the Global Hospitality & Tourism Leadership Award, conferred by Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut.
  • Top Inspirational Educator of the Country, awarded by JOURNEY Magazine in collaboration with Code Bharat & Robochamps.

 

He has published over 140 research papers in reputed peer-reviewed international and national journals, authored seven reference books, and holds fourteen patents and one copyright. He has significantly contributed to over 100 global and national conventions, symposiums, and workshops, serving as a session chair, resource person, adjudicator, and guest of honor. He has also designed, reviewed, and developed 51 self-learning books for UG and PG programs at Sikkim Manipal University, Gangtok. He serves as an Editorial Board Member for several reputed journals.

Enhancing Academic and Industry Standards

Dr. Mishra is professionally associated with several esteemed organizations, including the Institute of Hospitality, London; Hospitality International Standards (HIS), Malaysia; International Council on Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Education (ICHRIE), USA; Distinguished Research Board of Advisors of the American Biographical Institute, USA; All India Management Association (AIMA), New Delhi; India Didactics Association, New Delhi; Indian Tourism and Hospitality Congress, Shimla; Indian Hospitality Congress, Srinagar-Garhwal; Centre for Education Growth and Research (CEGR), New Delhi; Indian Society for Training & Development (ISTD), New Delhi; and the Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE), New Delhi. He is also a Fellow Member of the Management and Business Research Council (MBRC), USA; Education Research & Development Association (ERDA), India; and Indian Council for Technical Research and Development, Nagpur. Additionally, he holds life memberships in the Indian Red Cross Society and other distinguished professional bodies.

As an academic consultant, Dr. Rajiv Mishra actively contributes to several prestigious organizations and institutions, providing his educational and professional development expertise. His significant roles include:

  • Chief Academic Officer: Frankford International University, Spokane, Washington, USA.
  • Independent Director: Impanelled by the Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India.
  • Nodal Officer: ‘All India Survey on Higher Education’, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India.
  • Academic Advisor: Shiftz, an AI-powered hospitality staffing company supporting skill development initiatives.
  • Expert Member: NEP 2020 Implementation Committee for Hospitality programs at Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow.
  • Chairperson: Board of Studies, Galgotias University, Greater Noida.
  • Ph.D. Examiner: Amity University, Noida, and GD Goenka University, Gurugram.
  • Affiliated Assessor: Tourism and Hospitality Sector Skill Council under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Govt. of India.
  • External Verifier: Qualifications and Quality in Hospitality Training at IndiaSkills, Bangalore, a joint venture between Manipal Education, India, and City & Guilds, London.
  • Adjunct Faculty: Department of Vocational Sciences, Sikkim Manipal University, Gangtok, contributing to diverse academic streams.
  • Subject Matter Expert: MeritTrac Services Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, specializing in competency assessments for academic and professional roles.
  • Special Invitee Member: Academic Committee, Sikkim Manipal University, Gangtok.
  • Member: Board of Studies for Hospitality & Tourism programs at Sikkim Manipal University, ensuring curriculum alignment with academic goals.
  • Invited Trainer: Konkan Railway Academy, Goa.

 

Dr. Mishra’s diverse contributions reflect his commitment to enhancing academic and industry standards across hospitality, tourism, and related sectors.

Trailblazer in India’s Education Revolution

Under Prof. (Dr.) Rajiv Mishra’s leadership, the School of Hospitality & Tourism (SOHT) at Galgotias University has achieved unparalleled academic excellence, garnering recognition for its quality education, industry partnerships, and global standing. A few notable ones are reflected below:

QS I-GAUGE Platinum Badge: SOHT is the first institute in India to earn the QS I-GAUGE Platinum rating in Hospitality Management with a perfect score of 250/250.

Global Ranking: Ranked among the Top 50 Best Hospitality Schools globally for 2023 and 2024 by CEOWORLD, New York, and the only private institute in India on this list.

National Recognition:

  • Top Private Hotel Management Institute of Excellence in India (GHRDC, New Delhi).
  • 1st Ranked among the Top 10 Emerging Private Hotel Management Colleges in North India (India Today and MDRA Survey).
  • Top Professional Education Institute in Uttar Pradesh (Education World – Higher Education Rankings).
  •  1st Ranked Best Private Hotel Management College in Uttar Pradesh (Open Magazine).

 

Accreditation and Certifications:

  • Certified by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
  • Hospitality International Standards (HIS), Malaysia
  • International Accreditation Organization (IAO), USA, for teaching, infrastructure, and management.

 

 Centre of Excellence:

  • Partnership with Sarovar Hotels & Resorts and BWH Hotels (Best Western International, Inc.), US, for corporate collaborations.
  • Membership with the Indian Culinary Forum, Indian Federation of Culinary Associations, and the World Association of Chefs Societies, Paris.

 

Collaborations with Global Institutions: Partnered with National Restaurant Association Solutions (USA) and the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (USA).

Prestigious Awards and Recognitions

  • Award of Excellence 2024: Recognized by the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI) and the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India.
  • Outstanding Excellence in Hospitality and Culinary Education 2024: Honoured by Indian Culinary Forum and Incredible India.

 Global Teaching Excellence Awards:

  • Best Hospitality & Tourism Institute 2021
  • Institution of Excellence 2021 (International Education Award)
  • Centre of Excellence for Hospitality & Tourism 2021 (Kiteskraft)

Education Excellence Awards:

  • Excellent Hotel Management Institute in India 2023 (The Knowledge Review Magazine)
  • Education Excellence Award 2022 by GHRDC
  • Best Institute in Hospitality Management 2022 (The Knowledge Review Magazine)
  • Best College of the Year (Hospitality & Tourism) 2022 (Perficio Award)
  • Best Private Hospitality & Tourism Institute 2021 (Brand’s Impact Award)
  • Most Leading Education Brands of 2021 (The Knowledge Review Magazine)

 

Dr. Mishra stands as a trailblazer in India’s education revolution, spearheading the transformation of SOHT into a globally recognized institution for Hospitality and Tourism. Through visionary leadership, he has elevated the institution with world-class infrastructure, distinguished faculty members, an innovative

curriculum, and unparalleled practicum and placement opportunities. Dr. Mishra’s commitment to excellence has shaped SOHT into an enriching academic environment fostering intellectual and co-curricular growth. As a result, the school has garnered international rankings and prestigious global accreditations, solidifying its position as a key player in India’s evolving educational landscape.

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