New Delhi: Seven different courses in tourism, hospitality and heritage studies are likely to be introduced by Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University. The university would start the Bachelor's and PhD program this academic year.
S Inayat A Zaidi, Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Languages, JMI said that the initiative comes in the wake of the tourism ministry's eagerness to launch research oriented program as well as promote academic studies and research in the tourism sector and the related field of heritage studies. The tourism ministry has already allotted a grant of Rs 2 crore for the purpose. Presently, program in these fields are mostly industry-oriented. They prepare students to work as tourist guides, ticketing staff, back office or front office staff.
The university has been offering diploma and certificate courses in tourism and travel management. Now, the university plans to establish a separate department which would offer Bachelor's, Master's and PhD program in hospitality, heritage and tourism studies. The department would be a part of the Faculty of Humanities and Languages. The decision was taken considering the increasing demand for these courses and the success of candidates who pursued these courses. Moreover, the university also aims to widen access by making these courses affordable and easily accessible. The reason is that institutes offering degrees and diplomas in these areas of study charge high fees and mostly attract the elite strata of society.
