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MEKONG TOURISM ADVISORY GROUP

Expert Group on Education & Research

Objective

To contribute to a stronger and more sustainable tourism and hospitality industry in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) by enhancing collaborations between the education sector and the industry, as well as creating opportunities for education stakeholders to join force to strengthen the Tourism, Hospitality and Events (TH&E) Education and Training.

Context

COVID-19 has created a necessity and an opportunity for the labor-intensive TH&E industry to re-engage with its workforce and re-invent the workplace.

Caring for guests has never been more important to ensure that a destination stands out. Even when everything else is becoming contactless, the human touch remains the cornerstone of the TH&E industry. As well-trained staff remain essential in providing customers with a safe and enjoyable experience, more efforts are required to address key human capital challenges.

Leveraging on the unique opportunities for collaborations offered by the MeTAG group, the Education and Research Expert Group seeks to maximise the provision of quality higher education (HE) and vocational education and training (VET) in preparing TH&E young talents for the changing labour market. It also aims to increase contribution to sustainable growth and inclusive societies within the GMS area. The key focus of the Education and Research Expert Group are as follows:

  • Developing and strengthening the skills & competencies of young talents that meets the needs of the TH&E industry in the GMS region;
  • Enhancing sustainability of teaching and practices in HE and VET in the GMS region;
  • Updating on relating current trends (e.g., digitalisation in the labour markets) of the industry that could affect the adaptability in teaching and learning approaches in HE & VET (e.g., industry 4.0, virtual tour, virtual events etc.);
  • Supporting HE&VET learning mobility, careers without borders and VET internationalization.

Current Projects

Strengthen the connection between the education sector and the TH&E industry

Objectives

  • To develop among education stakeholders a better understanding of the industry’s need and expectations in terms of skills and competencies required for the TH&E workforce, especially after the Covid-19 recovery;
  • To seek opportunities to enhance collaboration between the TH&E industry and education stakeholders with a view to address skill mismatch induced by the COVID-19 crisis.

Timeline

  • June – September 2021

Planned Activities

  • Quick online survey
  • Focus group (restricted to MeTAG members)

Expected outcomes

  • Data on skills and knowledge urgently required by the industry for the Covid recovery made available to education stakeholders via Destination Mekong communication channels to support them in adjusting training to the new demands of the job market;
  • Opportunities for collaboration between the industry and educational stakeholders to foster sustainable recovery of the sector identified and shared publicly via Destination Mekong communication channels;
  • These findings will inform further work of the group.

Research development on “Evaluating Sustainability in the TH&E Curriculum in the GMS – Towards the transformative approach” (tentative title)

Objectives

  • This research aims to investigate the current integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into Tourism, Hospitality and Events Educational Institutions within the GMS Region, and identify the extent in which the educational institutions apply the transformative approach for sustainability in their teaching and learning.

Timeline

  • Ongoing

Planned Activities

  • Online survey

Expected outcomes

  • For individual institutions: the current status of ESD within TH&E education and training institutions in the GMS. Strengths and weaknesses when compared to the institutional benchmark;
    For the overall result: the holistic situational awareness on the application of ESD within TH&E educations and training institutions and recommendations of changes needed to achieve transformational ESD in the GMS.
  •  inform further work of the group.

Upcoming Projects

Talent Development – Establishing dialogue with the industry on the required potential skills of future talents

The aim of this initiative is to develop a dialogue between education stakeholders and a variety of TH&E businesses in order to enhance understanding of respective objectives, needs and expectations, especially regarding desirable competencies of future graduates to help bridging talent gaps.

The findings from the consultation will be shared on the Education and Research Expert Group dedicated page on DestinationMekong.com and will inform further work of the group.

Create a network of educational institutions

The Education and Research Expert Group aims to create a database by gradually collecting list of institutions in the GMS, firstly, in the two following levels:

  • Higher education
  • Vocational education

The database will compile basic information of the institutions, location, and point of contact for Recruitment so that prospective employers can contact them more easily.

Research development relating to education in the GMS region

The aim of this initiative is to identify relevant research topics, seek for potential research funding and conduct research that will contribute to strengthen the TH&E Education and Training by providing educational institutions in the GMS region better awareness and understanding of the studied topic.

The possibility to develop ASEAN or GMS indicators in key specific areas

The aim of this initiative is to identify ways to support education stakeholders in better aligning with regional frameworks aimed at bringing out educational cohesion in the region.

Findings and good practices will be shared by the group on the Destination Mekong communication channels.

Upcoming Events

No Events

Visit the Destination Mekong events calendar _____
Chair
Walanchalee Wattanacharoensil

Assistant Professor at the Tourism and Hospitality Management Division,
Mahidol University International College

Vice-Chairs
Sophie Hartman

Regional Platform Coordinator, ASSET-H&C

Simon Lloyd

Dean of International Programme, Dusit Thani College

Members

Membership is open to all MeTAG members, representatives of governments, the private sector and NGOs committed to child protection (can, but do not need to be experts on the topic); it can be expanded to external experts that are not part of the Mekong Tourism Advisory Group but can contribute to the discussion.

Please contact us to inquire about membership to this group.

Mandate
  • Propose and implement common initiatives that will enhance the collaboration between the education stakeholders and the Tourism, Hospitality and Events (TH&E) industry and strengthen TH&E education and training in the GMS region
  • Share insights on TH&E Education in the GMS region and research findings with the Mekong Tourism Advisory Group (MeTAG) Members and MTCO through periodic updates and group calls
  • Seek support and input from other MeTAG Members and MTCO as well as supporting other existing MeTAG expert groups (e.g., Climate Change, Child Protection, Health and Wellness)
Founded
  • June 2021
Inquiries
Resources

Objective

To contribute to a stronger and more sustainable tourism and hospitality industry in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) by enhancing collaborations between the education sector and the industry, as well as creating opportunities for education stakeholders to join force to strengthen the Tourism, Hospitality and Events (TH&E) Education and Training.

Context

COVID-19 has created a necessity and an opportunity for the labor-intensive TH&E industry to re-engage with its workforce and re-invent the workplace.

Caring for guests has never been more important to ensure that a destination stands out. Even when everything else is becoming contactless, the human touch remains the cornerstone of the TH&E industry. As well-trained staff remain essential in providing customers with a safe and enjoyable experience, more efforts are required to address key human capital challenges.

Leveraging on the unique opportunities for collaborations offered by the MeTAG group, the Education and Research Expert Group seeks to maximise the provision of quality higher education (HE) and vocational education and training (VET) in preparing TH&E young talents for the changing labour market. It also aims to increase contribution to sustainable growth and inclusive societies within the GMS area. The key focus of the Education and Research Expert Group are as follows:

  • Developing and strengthening the skills & competencies of young talents that meets the needs of the TH&E industry in the GMS region;
  • Enhancing sustainability of teaching and practices in HE and VET in the GMS region;
  • Updating on relating current trends (e.g., digitalisation in the labour markets) of the industry that could affect the adaptability in teaching and learning approaches in HE & VET (e.g., industry 4.0, virtual tour, virtual events etc.);
  • Supporting HE&VET learning mobility, careers without borders and VET internationalization.

Current Projects

Strengthen the connection between the education sector and the TH&E industry

Objectives

  • To develop among education stakeholders a better understanding of the industry’s need and expectations in terms of skills and competencies required for the TH&E workforce, especially after the Covid-19 recovery;
  • To seek opportunities to enhance collaboration between the TH&E industry and education stakeholders with a view to address skill mismatch induced by the COVID-19 crisis.

Timeline

  • June – September 2021

Planned Activities

  • Quick online survey
  • Focus group (restricted to MeTAG members)

Expected outcomes

  • Data on skills and knowledge urgently required by the industry for the Covid recovery made available to education stakeholders via Destination Mekong communication channels to support them in adjusting training to the new demands of the job market;
  • Opportunities for collaboration between the industry and educational stakeholders to foster sustainable recovery of the sector identified and shared publicly via Destination Mekong communication channels;
  • These findings will inform further work of the group.

Research development on “Evaluating Sustainability in the TH&E Curriculum in the GMS – Towards the transformative approach” (tentative title)

Objectives

  • This research aims to investigate the current integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into Tourism, Hospitality and Events Educational Institutions within the GMS Region, and identify the extent in which the educational institutions apply the transformative approach for sustainability in their teaching and learning.

Timeline

  • Ongoing

Planned Activities

  • Online survey

Expected outcomes

  • For individual institutions: the current status of ESD within TH&E education and training institutions in the GMS. Strengths and weaknesses when compared to the institutional benchmark;
    For the overall result: the holistic situational awareness on the application of ESD within TH&E educations and training institutions and recommendations of changes needed to achieve transformational ESD in the GMS.
  •  inform further work of the group.

Upcoming Projects

Talent Development – Establishing dialogue with the industry on the required potential skills of future talents

The aim of this initiative is to develop a dialogue between education stakeholders and a variety of TH&E businesses in order to enhance understanding of respective objectives, needs and expectations, especially regarding desirable competencies of future graduates to help bridging talent gaps.

The findings from the consultation will be shared on the Education and Research Expert Group dedicated page on DestinationMekong.com and will inform further work of the group.

Create a network of educational institutions

The Education and Research Expert Group aims to create a database by gradually collecting list of institutions in the GMS, firstly, in the two following levels:

  • Higher education
  • Vocational education

The database will compile basic information of the institutions, location, and point of contact for Recruitment so that prospective employers can contact them more easily.

Research development relating to education in the GMS region

The aim of this initiative is to identify relevant research topics, seek for potential research funding and conduct research that will contribute to strengthen the TH&E Education and Training by providing educational institutions in the GMS region better awareness and understanding of the studied topic.

The possibility to develop ASEAN or GMS indicators in key specific areas

The aim of this initiative is to identify ways to support education stakeholders in better aligning with regional frameworks aimed at bringing out educational cohesion in the region.

Findings and good practices will be shared by the group on the Destination Mekong communication channels.

Upcoming Events

No Events

Visit the Destination Mekong events calendar _____
Chair
Walanchalee Wattanacharoensil

Assistant Professor at the Tourism and Hospitality Management Division,
Mahidol University International College

Vice-Chairs
Sophie Hartman

Regional Platform Coordinator, ASSET-H&C

Simon Lloyd

Dean of International Programme, Dusit Thani College

Members

Membership is open to all MeTAG members, representatives of governments, the private sector and NGOs committed to child protection (can, but do not need to be experts on the topic); it can be expanded to external experts that are not part of the Mekong Tourism Advisory Group but can contribute to the discussion.

Please contact us to inquire about membership to this group.

Mandate
  • Propose and implement common initiatives that will enhance the collaboration between the education stakeholders and the Tourism, Hospitality and Events (TH&E) industry and strengthen TH&E education and training in the GMS region
  • Share insights on TH&E Education in the GMS region and research findings with the Mekong Tourism Advisory Group (MeTAG) Members and MTCO through periodic updates and group calls
  • Seek support and input from other MeTAG Members and MTCO as well as supporting other existing MeTAG expert groups (e.g., Climate Change, Child Protection, Health and Wellness)
Founded
  • June 2021
Inquiries
Resources

How you can support us

Inform us about your research and education projects in tourism, volunteer to work on a studen project, or connect with us as a partner.

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