Bhubaneswar, August 16: The Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology of Utkal University in Orissa has introduced a regular programme in tourism and heritage management from the current academic session.
This course is however introduced in an attempt to help students cash in on the increasing opportunities in the travel and tourism industry.
Course coordinator Prof Sadasiv Pradhan told odisha.in “This course is the first of its kind in the country. There are 30 seats for the course, half of which have been absorbed by working professionals.”
He said that the course papers included heritage of Indian art, architecture, geography and legislation for travel and tourism, foreign language, financial and cost accounting, painting and iconography which take into account market requirements.
“Our aim would be to see that they not only land with big offers but are skilful enough in providing jobs to others. Besides, generating qualified professionals would also help the State Government in recruitment for tourism promotion,” Pradhan said.
The course will also strive to motivate them to start their own ventures, apart from preparing candidates to gain employment in travel, hospitality and the entertainment industry.
Though lack of regular faculty and infrastructures to run the programme have given raise to discontent among the students, Prof Pradhan maintained that such issues would be resolved soon. “Senior teachers would be hired from different departments to hold classes besides the guest faculties,” he added.
Odisha.in