Home » Graduate Programs » MASTER OF INTERNATIONAL SUSTAINABLE TOURISM MANAGEMENT AND EXCELLENCE » program description

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Introduction

1. Tourism Department’s Background

The Department of Tourism (DoT) opened in 2001 (approved by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports [MoEYS] based on the Prakas N° 296, អយក dated on April 30th, 2001) following the success of the one-off Master’s Program in Tourism Management (approved by the MoEYS based on the Prakas N° 76 អយក​​​.ប្រកdated on January 30th, 2001), which was developed in partnership with the support and collaboration of three universities: RUPP, the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), and the University of Bologna, Italy. Currently, the Department provides the well-regarded interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts in Tourism Management, with the main focus on high standards in research-based and sustainable development education.

Witnessing significant growth of tourism sector in Cambodia and at global scale particularly prior to Covid-19 outbreak, business as usual mindset has proven unfit for future of tourism industry. Therefore, among other factors, quality human resource in tourism with higher level of knowledge and critical thinking is impeccable. The establishment of Master of International Sustainable Tourism Management and Excellence (MISTME) is pivotal and timing in response to the need of qualified graduates to cope with uncertainty and complexity of tourism industry.

The Department Staff are highly qualified and have many years of teaching, research and industry related experience from a wide range of backgrounds, including applied tourism, economics, business, rural development, agricultural sciences, culture and heritage management, natural resource management, sustainable development, sustainability sciences, community development, sociology, research, and other related subjects. Current department members hold PhDs from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, UK and the USA and as well as MAs from Australia, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Thailand and the UK. Staff maintain strong links with industry, from the private, public and NGO sectors.

2. Educational Philosophy

The Tourism Department is dedicated to fostering a comprehensive and dynamic learning environment that emphasizes three core pillars: quality of teaching, dissemination of tourism information based on academic research, and community services.

Quality of teaching

We are committed to delivering high quality education that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to excel in the tourism and hospitality industry. Our teaching methods are innovative, student-centred, and designed to promote critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning. The department continually updates its curriculum to reflect the dynamic nature of the tourism industry, incorporating the latest trends, technologies, and sustainability practices. This commitment to excellence in teaching ensures our graduates are well prepared to lead and innovate in the field. The goal is to equip students with the necessary skills, critical thinking, and ethical understanding to thrive as professionals and leaders in the tourism sector.

Dissemination tourism information based on academic research

We prioritize the dissemination of tourism information grounded in rigorous academic research. Our faculty and students engage in scholarly research that not only contributes to the academic community, but also informs policy-making and industry practices. We actively disseminate tourism information through publications, conferences, workshops, and partnerships with stakeholders in the tourism industry. By integrating cutting-edge research into our teaching, we ensure that students are exposed to the latest developments, enabling them to be innovative and informed professionals.

Community service

The Department of Tourism recognizes the vital role of tourism in fostering sustainable development and improving the well-being of local communities. As such, we are committed to engaging with communities through outreach programs, service learning, and collaborative projects that promote responsible tourism practices. Our students and faculty work closely with local, national, and international communities to provide services that support cultural preservation, environmental conservation, and economic development. We believe that tourism should not only benefit visitors but also contribute positively to host communities, and our educational philosophy reflects this commitment to ethical and sustainable tourism practices.

In essence, our department strives to create a learning environment that integrates quality education, research-driven tourism knowledge, and community engagement, with a focus on sustainability and social responsibility in the tourism industry. By integrating above mentioned pillars, the Tourism Department aims to produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable and skilled, but also ethical and socially responsible leaders who committed to making a positive impact in the tourism industry and beyond.

3. Vision

To be a leading post-graduate program with excellence in tourism and hospitality education and research in the region.

4. Mission

Deliver tourism and hospitality education, training, and research with highly competent graduates for tourism academic/research communities and tourism/hospitality industries.

5. Core Values

  • Professionalism
  • Excellence
  • Integrity
  • Harmony (diversity, teamwork, community)
  • Innovation

6. Goal

Equip students with 21st century skills and competencies for the tourism/hospitality industries, development, entrepreneurship, and a sense of responsibility.

7. Program Educational Objectives (PEOs)

Based on the inputs collected from the stakeholders and the needs of society development, the MISTME has developed the following Program Educational Objectives (PEO) to be achieved by the graduates several years after graduation:

  1. PEO1: After three years of graduation, graduates of MISTME will hold positions in academia, research institutions, and relevant industries with the professionalism and competencies necessary for successful careers in applications of 21st-century skills and personal capabilities.
  2. PEO2: Graduates will maintain their continual absorption of tourism and hospitality knowledge by engaging in life-long learning via career-building options specific to their job environment, including the acquisition of postgraduate degrees and research in other related fields.
  3. PEO3: Graduates will display effective communication skills and problem-solving by playing leading roles in multidisciplinary collaborations in academia and professional communities.

8. Program Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

  1. PLO1: Evaluate core concepts, principles, theories, and policies related to sustainable development and sustainable tourism management.
  2. PLO2: Analyze the complexity of stakeholders’ interests at the forefront of sustainability.
  3. PLO3: Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the core concepts, principles, theories, and policies related to sustainable development and sustainable tourism management, and the complexity of stakeholders’ interests; thus, being able to apply this understanding to both national and international case studies.
  4. PLO4: Evaluate structural and systematic problems, involving governance, and risk and disaster management at various destination typologies.
  5. PLO5: Reconstruct definitive tourism sustainability beneficial to diverse stakeholders, including local community, government, private sector, academia, and other community of interest.

Cognitive Skills:

  1. PLO6: Create and implement strategic tourism plans that integrate sustainability, ensuring positive environmental and community outcomes.
  2. PLO7: Reorganize creative and innovative approaches to address complex challenges in international tourism, including overtourism, environmental degradation, and socio-economic inequalities.

Interpersonal skills and responsibility:

  1. PLO8: Cross-Cultural Communication: Demonstrate excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders across cultures, including governments, local communities, NGOs, and the private sector.
  2. PLO9: Leadership and Collaboration: Exhibit strong leadership and collaborative skills, facilitating teamwork, partnerships, and consensus-building among tourism stakeholders.

Numerical skills, information technology and communication:

  1. PLO10: Research and Analysis: Construct rigorous research and critical analysis using both qualitative and quantitative methods to inform sustainable tourism decision-making and contribute to academic and industry knowledge.

Psychomotor skills:

  1. PLO11: Project Management: Create effective project management skills, including planning, budgeting, and evaluation, to tourism projects that prioritize sustainability and responsible practices.

Contact Info

Program Coordinator:

Mr. Khun Kakda
Telephone icon (855) 16/17 874777
Location icon108 Building A, Campus I, Russian Confederation Bolvd, Toul Kok, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Scholarship

For students who are looking for a scholarship, RUPP provides a number of sources of scholarships. read more...