Port-Vila, Vanuatu – 09 August 2022: A month after the reopening of the borders in Vanuatu, the students in the Bachelor in Tourism and Hospitality at the National University of Vanuatu (NUV) could not show more excitement.
In total 17 students registered this academic year in the first year of the Bachelor. Vanuatu borders were still closed and there was no clear indication on the opening date of the borders. Those 17 students stand out by their determination in contributing to the development of the tourism and hospitality industry in Vanuatu. The challenges in the tourism sector since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic did not undermine the motivation of the students nor impact their vision of their future. While some of the students already want to become entrepreneurs in the tourism industry, many others would like to contribute to raise the standards and increase the offers in Vanuatu.
Junior Neveserveth, a student in first year of the Bachelor in Tourism and Hospitality at the NUV, said “I want to contribute to the development of the country. I believe it is my responsibility as a citizen. I feel that I can contribute to the tourism sector. I knew that the borders were not going to remain close forever. I followed my career plans. My objective is to develop entertainment activities offered to tourists in Vanuatu, so I know that I am on the good path.”
Adela Tal, another student in first year of the Bachelor in Tourism and Hospitality at the NUV, said “I am already associated with my brother, and we have a tourism project. COVID-19 did not impact our vision. I knew that I needed the skills required to run a tourism business. This Bachelor was the best way to do so keeping in mind that the tourism industry in Vanuatu will start again. The NUV offers excellent courses with both face-to-face and online courses. We can learn from experts based in Vanuatu but also overseas.”
The students in the Bachelor in Tourism and Hospitality at the NUV are dynamic, smart and eager to contribute to the development of Vanuatu tourism industry. The pandemic did not bend their determination. The tourism industry will soon see the students in the Bachelor in Tourism and Hospitality on the ground as the first year and the third-year students will start integrating the labour market through internships. With the current shortage, the students who will graduate at the end of year should meet the demand in qualified labour in Vanuatu tourism industry just in time for the peak touristic season.
The 21 NUV students who graduated from the Bachelor in Tourism and Hospitality in 2021 already successfully integrated the labour market and are currently working for the Vanuatu Tourism Office, the Ministry of Tourism, Trade, Commerce and Ni Vanuatu Business, the private sector and many other offices in Vanuatu.
The development of the NUV is aligned with Vanuatu People’s Plan and the Vanuatu Education and Training Sector Strategic Plan. The focus of education and training under the NUV and associated institutions are based on the priorities of the country’s National Human Resource Development Plan 2020-2030 (NHRDP).
