Photo: Daily Messenger
The education programme about tourism started with the introduction of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management at the University of Dhaka for the first time in the country. At present, tourism is taught in seven public universities in the country. Apart from this, this programme is running in several private universities.
Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes are available in the mentioned public and private universities. However, there are opportunities to take undergraduate and postgraduate, MPhil and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes in Tourism and Hospitality Management from the University of Dhaka and Rajshahi University.
The value of tourism studies is increasing day by day worldwide. Bangladesh is also no different to it. If one is interested in tourism and hospitality, then one can take admission in Tourism and Hospitality Management. Much of the tourism education and training is practical. So, if one wants to be ahead of many in this profession, one needs practical knowledge and training.
Studying qualification
Students who pass higher secondary in business education, science and humanities department get the opportunity to study undergraduate in tourism and hospitality management department. In the case of undergraduates, the University follows the conventional admission process. Admission in this department is available on the basis of the university's conventional admission test and merit order.
Where to get admission
Students interested in pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, MPhil and PhD degrees in Tourism and Hospitality Management in Bangladesh have immense potential. Tourism and Hospitality Management is a very popular subject among the students in the USA, Canada, and European countries. There are many private universities including seven public universities in Bangladesh to study this subject.
However, the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management of the University of Dhaka University was the first in the country to start the education program in this regard. Apart from that, among the public universities, Rajshahi University, Islamic University, Pabna Science and Technology University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Noakhali Science and Technology University and Rangamati Science and Technology University have the opportunity to study this subject.
Several public and private universities and colleges in Bangladesh offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Tourism and Hospitality Management. Tourism and Hospitality Management department is already very popular among the students. Many colleges under the National University offer graduation in Tourism and Hospitality Management. Even some institutes under the Board of Technical Education offer diploma degrees in this subject. Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality Management is available in government-run National Hotel and Tourism Training Institute.
Syllabus and courses
Front Office Management, Housekeeping Management, Culinary Arts, Food and Beverage Service Management, Leisure and Recreation Services, finance, Tourism and Hospitality Marketing, Tourism in Bangladesh, Revenue Management, Research Methodology, Global Issues in Tourism, Tourism and Hospitality Management Fundamentals, Accounting Management, Service Management and other various courses and subjects are taught.
Employment opportunities
Students of this department have global career opportunities. Many chain star hotels and resorts have been developed in Bangladesh based on the tourism industry. The demand for skilled workers and managers is increasing day by day. Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Intercontinental, Westin Dhaka, Sheraton, Renaissance Le Méridien, Radisson Blu, Hansa Residence, Dhaka Regency, Zabeer Dhaka and many other star quality hotels have been built in Dhaka alone.
As a result, interest in reading about it is increasing. On the other hand, there are job opportunities for skilled workers in notable resorts such as The Palace, Royal Tulip, Grand Sultan, Arunima Resort, Du-Sai Resort outside Dhaka. Apart from this, the students of this department have many opportunities to build a career in service-related organizations (bank, insurance, telecommunication, public service and others). Apart from this, there is an opportunity to join about 40 international airlines including Biman Bangladesh, US-Bangla Airlines, Air Astra, NovoAir as Cabin Crew and Steward.
Importance of studying tourism
Tourism is a well growing industry. The tendency to travel is increasing among people all over the world. Along with that, hotels, motels, resorts, theme parks and entertainment centres are also increasing. Three issues are very important with tourism: service management, hotel management, and tourism management. Several international chain star hotels have already started business in Bangladesh.
These hotels and resorts need a lot of skilled workers. Hotel management is closely related to tourism. So, it is said that tourism and hotel management is the profession of the future. Day by day the demand of tourist tour operators, travel agencies, tour guides is increasing. Meanwhile, the demand for skilled manpower has increased a lot due to the increase in the number of domestic airlines as well as international airlines.
As a result, Tourism and Hospitality Management Department is playing a unique role in creating skilled manpower. In the future, the whole world will want to show their own culture, history, lifestyle and natural beauty to the people of the world through tourism. Hence, the sector will require a large amount of skilled manpower in the future.
The cost
It is possible to obtain bachelor's and master's degree in this subject at nominal cost in public universities. However, private universities require 3 to 5 lakh taka to get bachelor's and master's degrees. Diploma degree requires 30 to 40 thousand taka. However, the diploma can be done at a very low cost in the government-run National Hotel and Tourism Training Institute.
Higher education facilities
The Tourism and Hospitality Management program offers bachelor's, master's, MPhil and PhD degrees. Undergraduate, Postgraduate, MPhil and PhD degrees are available in the University of Dhaka and Rajshahi University. Apart from that, graduation and post-graduation degrees can also be taken from other public and private universities. Among the developed and developing countries of the world, America, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium and many universities in Asia offer opportunities for degrees in this subject.
The writer is Professor and Chairman, Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Dhaka
Messenger/Howlader
