Uttarakhand | 16 October 2026

The Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (COL-CEMCA) in collaboration with Uttarakhand Open University (UOU), Haldwani, organised a one-day workshop on the development of the Tour Guiding and Escorting Skills course in blended learning mode under the Graduate Employability Skills Project. The workshop brought together faculty members to deliberate on course design, content development and the integration of practical skills to strengthen graduate employability in Uttarakhand’s tourism sector.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Navin Chandra Lohani, Vice-Chancellor, UOU, highlighted the importance of adopting blended learning approaches for vocational and skill-based courses. He emphasised the relevance of developing practical, employment-oriented learning opportunities that respond to Uttarakhand’s tourism potential and the skills required by the sector.

Dr B. Shadrach, Director, COL-CEMCA, addressed the participants on “Designing for Impact: Blended Pedagogy and Employability in Tour Guiding and Escorting.” He highlighted the potential of the proposed course to connect UOU’s existing learning offerings in eco-tourism, rural and homestay tourism, and cultural heritage with practical, customer-facing skills. The course is envisaged as an integrated learning pathway that can help learners build stackable credentials and prepare for employment opportunities across eco-tourism, adventure tourism and community-based tourism.

The discussions also explored ways to move beyond theoretical instruction by incorporating local field scenarios, role-play exercises, crisis communication simulations and industry-led masterclasses. These approaches can help learners develop practical competencies in areas such as guest management, itinerary coordination, emergency response and cultural interpretation, while preparing them for the demands of tourism-related occupations.

Professor Venkaiah Vunnam, Consultant, COL-CEMCA, led a session on course design and its key components, highlighting elements of quality assurance in the teaching-learning process. These included creating an effective learning environment, transforming teaching, learning and assessment practices, aligning curriculum with relevant learning outcomes, facilitating active learning, and redefining the roles of teachers and students. He also emphasised the importance of tracking student engagement, using appropriate technology and infrastructure, and documenting learning outcomes to support quality and continuous improvement.

The workshop provided a platform for faculty members to exchange ideas and contribute to the development of a blended learning course that combines academic knowledge with practical training. The initiative seeks to strengthen UOU’s vocational learning portfolio and support the development of a skilled workforce for Uttarakhand’s tourism and hospitality sectors.