In a significant step to increase global partnerships in education, the Master of Tourism Studies (MKP) Study Program at the Graduate School of Gadjah Mada University (SPs UGM) conducted a comparative study at the Universitat de Girona (UdG) in Spain. The visit took place on October 9th 2024 as a follow-up to the academic collaboration between MKP and UdG.
“The visit to Spain is a follow-up to the academic collaboration between MKP and UdG which opens up opportunities for curriculum improvements, research and joint publications. Students also have the opportunity to increase their knowledge by taking a general course with the theme Rethinking Transformative Tourism: Post-Growth and Posthumanist Approaches to Ethics and Politics by Prof. JaumeGuia and Culture and Heritage Tourism in Spain. Learned from Monserrat Tourism Development by Dr. Silvia Aulet,” said Dr. Dyah Widiyastuti, Chief of the Tourism Master Program.
This collaboration is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those that focus on access to education and basic education. By encouraging international partnerships, the MKP program is committed to providing a comprehensive educational experience to its students.
During the visit, students had the unique opportunity to take a course on tourism entitled “Rethinking Transformative Tourism: Post-Growth and Posthumanist Approaches to Ethics and Politics,” led by Professor Jaume Guia. This course is designed to address conventional tourism paradigms and encourage students to think critically about the ethical implications of tourism in a rapidly changing world.
Students were also involved in a session on “Tourism Culture and Heritage in Spain,” where they learned from Dr. Silvia Aulet on tourism development in Montserrat. This hands-on learning experience is very important for students, as it provides insight into sustainable tourism practices and the importance of cultural heritage in tourism development.
The MKP program’s commitment to sustainability’s education is evident in its efforts to integrate sustainable practices into its curriculum. Students are better prepared to face the challenges faced by the tourism industry by learning from international peers, especially in developing countries.
These study visits also serve as a platform to foster global partnerships, which are critical to achieving the SDGs. The Tourism Master Program is taking significant steps towards creating a more sustainable and fair future for all by collaborating with institutions such as UdG and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.
Author: Siti Muyasaroh