Rajgir: Nalanda University, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Bihar, has launched a five-day certificate course on Heritage-Tourism Management, bringing together 60 participants from across the tourism and heritage sectors.
The inaugural edition of the residential programme has filled all available seats. Participants include tourism guides, tour operators, wildlife interpreters, museum staff, researchers and professionals working in tourism and heritage.
The Management Development Programme (MDP) is being jointly organised by the University’s School of Management Studies and School of Historical Studies under the Sahbhagita Samvad initiative.
Focus On Skilled Heritage Interpretation
Speaking at the inaugural session, Nalanda University Vice-Chancellor Sachin Chaturvedi said tourism guides serve as the first point of contact for visitors and play a significant role in shaping perceptions of Bihar’s civilisational heritage.
He said the tourism sector is becoming increasingly specialised, requiring guides to develop expertise beyond historical facts. According to Chaturvedi, effective heritage interpretation depends on an integrated understanding of history, archaeology, art, the environment, culture and language.
Building Capacity For Bihar’s Tourism Sector
Chaturvedi expressed confidence that tourism would emerge as a major contributor to Bihar’s economy in the coming years. He said developing skilled human resources would be essential to supporting the sector’s growth.
He also announced that participants who perform well during the programme would be offered opportunities to enrol in Nalanda University’s subsidised short-term language courses.
Community Engagement Through Sahbhagita Samvad
The residential course has been introduced under the University’s Sahbhagita Samvad (Participatory Dialogue) initiative. It combines modules on history, heritage, tourism management, communication skills and regional studies.
Organisers said the programme is being offered at a nominal fee to connect local communities with the University’s academic expertise. The initiative aims to strengthen Bihar’s cultural identity while promoting responsible and sustainable tourism practices.
