Shape the Future of Tourism: NUOL hosted Innovative and Sustainable Tourism Seminar
Vientiane, 11 September 2025 — National University of Laos (NUOL) successfully organized a five-day national training seminar on the curriculum development and university-business cooperation (UBC) in tourism and hospitality, under the INNO4Tourism Project which is the EU co-funded within the framework of Erasmus+ Programme for Capacity Building in Higher Education. The seminar, held from 5–11 September 2025 at Faculty of Social Sciences, brought together 18 participants from across NUOL’s faculties working and offering academic programs related to tourism and hospitality.
The event was chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Somkhit Boulidam, Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, who emphasized the importance of building a forward-looking tourism curriculum that responds to the needs of the Lao labor market and international tourism trends.
As part of the INNO4Tourism project, the training aimed to equip academic staff with modern skills in curriculum design and strengthen university-business collaboration – both theories and case studies. Throughout the seminar program, participants engaged in lectures, group discussions, and practical field visits to the hotel and company. They explored case studies and developed action plans to integrate sustainable tourism principles into academic programs.
The seminar covered a wide range of themes, including:
- Sustainable Tourism – Core concepts, theories, and perspectives from economic, cultural, and environmental angles.
- Problem-Based Learning – Addressing real-world opportunities and challenges through case studies.
- University-Business Cooperation – Aligning academic curricula with labor market demands.
- Situational Analysis and Curriculum Development – Designing action plans based on research and fieldwork.
The training reflects NUOL’s commitment to advancing innovative teaching methods and preparing students for meaningful employment in the tourism sector. As Assoc. Prof. Dr. Somkhit Boulidam emphasized, “This seminar marks an important step in shaping the future of tourism education in Laos. By bridging academia and industry, we ensure our graduates are well-prepared to contribute to sustainable tourism development.”
All NUOL academic staff are encouraged to join future INNO4Tourism activities, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing to strengthen tourism education in Laos.