Tourism

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

The programme is focused on providing basic skills and knowledge in the field of management and business processes within the tourism industry, both at the national and global levels. Students of the programme will gain practical experience in evaluating tourism projects, organising and managing cultural and business events, and developing operational and strategic plans in tourism-related projects.
The educational programme is formed on the basis of the requirements of the State Educational Standards of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as the requirements of professional standards and modern market and employer demands.

The programme is presented in two forms of study, full-time (4 years) and shortened (3 years). To complete the programme in 4 years, a student must complete 248 academic credits. This form of study is provided for students entering the programme based on secondary education. Applicants on the basis of secondary vocational education have the opportunity to complete their studies in 3 years by re-crediting the disciplines studied at the college.
All students enrolled within the programme have the opportunity to create their own individual study plan. A detailed course programme is available in the catalogue of the School of Liberal Arts.

Key advantages of the programme:

1) Strong co-operation and partnership with representatives of the tourism, hospitality industry, specifically with large business companies, private and national companies specialising in tourism and hospitality. The co-operation allows to offer students a wide base of internships in the best local and international companies.

2) Allowing students to choose a specialisation that will allow them to expand their employment horizons. The School of Liberal Arts offers the following supplementary specialisations (minors):
2.1 Domestic and Inbound Tourism.
2.2 Tour Guiding.
2.3 Marketing in Tourism and Hospitality.
2.4 Hotel and Restaurant Business.

3) Double degree programme with such universities as: Swiss Hotel Management School, Hotel Institute Montreux (according to QS world university ranking top 10 universities in the world in the field of Hospitality), La Rochelle Tourism and Hospitality School, Excelia group.

4) Students implement business projects as part of their studies. One of the functioning projects is a student travel company aimed at the development of domestic tourism among young people.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Aim of the programme: preparation of highly qualified personnel in the field of tourism, with a multidisciplinary vision of development of tourism business, tourism product management at the public and private levels. Preparing personnel adaptable to a rapidly changing world, ready for multilateral collaborations and the development of small and medium-sized businesses in the field of tourism in both local and international markets.

About the programme (description):
The bachelor’s programme in Tourism with a focus on Management and Operations aims to develop a new generation of multilingual tourism professionals who are knowledgeable in all aspects of tourism business standards. In addition, the programme aims to train tourism industry leaders prepared to work in a multicultural environment.

Given the available range of courses offered during the programme, a student can take up to 2 minors throughout the period. In addition, graduates will be able to study one additional foreign language (Chinese/Spanish/Italian/German/French) as part of the programme, increasing their competitiveness as future professionals.
The educational programme is formed on the basis of the requirements of the State Educational Standards of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as the requirements of professional standards and modern market and employer demands.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the programme graduates will be able to:
– identify the main strengths and weaknesses of local and regional tourism management organisations;
– analyse and evaluate cases to solve managerial and marketing problems in the tourism industry;
– solve tourism issues taking into account the principles of sustainable development;
– use at least two or more foreign languages in business communications;
– organise and manage events of all sizes and themes, including cultural, business and mega-events;
– apply best marketing practices to develop business, operational and strategic plans in the travel and tourism industry;
– conduct empirical research;
– apply a knowledge of legislation and regulations in the tourism and services sector;
– develop strategies for planning and development of tourism destinations and tourist zones;
– possess teamwork and interpersonal communication skills, apply knowledge of history, languages in local and multicultural environments;
– utilise best practices in the tourism industry when developing operational and strategic plans;
– launch and manage tourism projects (from a public policy perspective and from a private business perspective).