SWAT: The University of Swat and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) have agreed to collaborate on promoting sustainable tourism and providing specialised adventure tourism training to students, in a move aimed at strengthen links between academia and tourism industry.
Under the proposed partnership, KPCTA will offer specialised training to students of the University of Swat in adventure tourism disciplines, including rock climbing, camping, trekking, skiing and paragliding under its Adventure Tourism Training Program.
KPCTA will also provide training equipment to strengthen the practical capacity of the Adventure Tourism Club of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality.
The collaboration will be formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The agreement was reached during an official visit of KPCTA Director Muhammad Ali Syed to the University of Swat, where he held a meeting with Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Husnul Amin.
Both sides also discussed collaboration in organising joint conferences, seminars, and workshops and in delivering a proposed Executive Certificate in Sustainable Hospitality to enhance professional competencies and promote sustainable practices in the hospitality industry.
During the visit, the Director explored various sites and facilities of the University to identify potential for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) activities.
Appreciating the academic environment and institutional initiatives of the University, KPCTA Director Muhammad Ali Syed said that connecting academia with the tourism industry is vital for developing a skilled workforce and promoting sustainable tourism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
University of Swat Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Husnul Amin welcomed the initiative, saying that the University is committed to contributing to the tourism sector through academia, research, professional training, and industry-oriented innovation.
The partnership is expected to create practical learning opportunities for students, strengthen industry-academia linkages and contribute to the long-term growth of the tourism and hospitality sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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