NEWS-CATEGORY

Interactive Seminar "Future Paths of Tourism Education" was held at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences

To strengthen collaboration with industry companies and organizations and to discuss how to jointly develop a modern tourism education offering, an interactive seminar titled "Future Paths of Tourism Education" was held at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences on 3 April 2025. The workshop brought together 17 organizations from all regions of Latvia.

The event began with a presentation on tourism study opportunities at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, introducing participants to current projects and research in the tourism sector and their practical application. Attendees learned about projects such as CirToS, Change(K)now!, Life LatViaNature, Interactive Gardens, and SIPAS project. The university students also provided insights into how industry collaboration is integrated into their studies, for example, through joint activities such as hackathons.

The second part of the event featured a workshop titled "Towards Tourism Education in Collaboration", organized in the framework of the SIPAS project (Promoting Sustainability and Technology in Tourism, Hospitality, and Service Studies through Strategic Industry Partnerships). Within the SIPAS project, all participating universities - in Latvia, Portugal, and India - are hosting meetings with industry representatives to evaluate existing collaborations and develop new ideas for improving cooperation between universities and the industry. This includes discussions on new tourism courses developed within the SIPAS project. The workshop focused on generating ideas and solutions that benefit all parties, covering aspects such as study content, collaboration, and resource sharing.

As a result of the workshop and discussions, industry stakeholders and collaboration partners shared their perspectives on improving cooperation with the university. Recommendations were provided, and barriers were discussed regarding how to ensure more effective communication of research results, improve the internship process and study content, and provide better feedback to the industry on various university initiatives. A key takeaway from the workshop was that collaboration should bring mutual benefits to both involved parties.

Erasmus+ Capacity Building project launched

From January 20 to 24, 2025, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences is hosting on-site and online kick-off meeting for the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education project “Advancing Sustainability and Technology in Tourism, Hospitality, and Services Studies through Strategic Industry Partnerships (SIPAS)”. Throughout the week, a team of lecturers and experts from Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, together with project partners from Portugal (Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal) and India (Pondicherry University and the National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management), will work on initiating and fine-tuning the project’s activities and tasks.

Over the course of two years, the SIPAS project will bring together four higher education institutions and five associated partners from the tourism industry to develop and implement innovative study modules, staff training programs, ICT integration, and the establishment of laboratories at partner universities in India. These initiatives aim to enhance administrative efficiency and create a global learning environment in the institutions involved.

On the first day of the meeting, participants were introduced to the higher education institutions represented in the project, as well as the tourism study programs they offer. Throughout the week, the project team will continue planning the next steps, activities, and collaboration details, including engaging with professional partners.