Pune, August 2025 — A new era in hospitality education was ushered in today as Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) entered into a landmark collaboration with A-Star Academy. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the iconic main building of SPPU, in the office of Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Suresh Gosavi. Representing A-Star Academy, Mr. Romie Dutt, Executive Director of Aamby Valley City and Hotel Sahara Star, formalized the agreement, bringing his vision of experiential and industry-integrated hospitality learning closer to reality.
The alliance promises to break away from traditional academic models by embedding students directly into live industry settings. The partnership will roll out a series of academic programs, beginning with a three-year Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Hospitality Studies. Under the framework, SPPU will serve as the degree-granting institution, while A-Star Academy will act as the academic partner delivering the curriculum. Diploma and certificate programs are also expected to follow.
A-Star Academy, founded as a joint initiative of Aamby Valley City and Hotel Sahara Star, has been designed to function as a hotel school with a difference—rooted in industry expertise and guided by practicing professionals. Unlike conventional hospitality schools, the academy ensures students gain hands-on exposure from the first day of their training. This approach allows them to develop not only theoretical foundations but also practical skills demanded by the global hospitality sector.
The curriculum has been carefully crafted by industry leaders, making it both relevant and globally applicable. By immersing students in real-life hotel operations, the program prepares them for dynamic careers in hotels, restaurants, tourism, and luxury service industries. This emphasis on “learning by doing” is expected to redefine employability standards in the sector, producing graduates who can step directly into professional roles with confidence.
A-Star Academy offers students the advantage of learning across two world-class campuses. Its Mumbai campus, located inside a 1 million sq. ft. five-star property, provides a genuine hotel environment for day scholars. Complementing this is its sprawling 10,000-acre residential campus in Lonavala, complete with restaurants, cafés, and boutique hotels that act as live laboratories for hospitality training.
The MoU reflects the shared commitment of SPPU and A-Star Academy to create a future-ready talent pool in hospitality. With this initiative, the two institutions aim to nurture leaders who are not just academically strong but also industry-ready, adaptable, and innovative.
For admissions and program details, A-Star Academy can be contacted at 8657411591/8657411592, via email at info@astaracademy.in
, or through its official website www.astaracademy.in
.
