As part of his visit to Ukraine, Tallinn University’s Associate Professor Mart Reimann visited Alfred Nobel University on October 26, 2022, where he met with Tamara Ishchenko, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, Viktoriia Smiesova, Acting Head of the Department of International Tourism, Hotel and Restaurant Business, and the lecturers of the department – Associate Professor Svitlana Zakharova and Associate Professor Liubov Boiko.
The Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, Tamara Ishchenko, welcomed Mart Reimann to Alfred Nobel University, told about the academic environment and the University’s programmes, about the development of research at the University, and also offered to establish cooperation between universities, lecturers and students in the educational field and international mobility projects.
Acting Head of the Department of International Tourism, Hotel and Restaurant Business, Viktoriia Smiesova, introduced her colleague to the activities of the department, noted that the programmes Tourism and Hotel and Restaurant Business have national accreditation, confirmed by the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance, and international accreditation, provided by ZEvA. Prof. Viktoriia Smiesova emphasized the importance of establishing close ties between departments to develop compatible programmes and projects in the tourism field, guest lectures, participation in research conferences and internships.
In this regard, Svitlana Zakharova, Associate Professor of the department, invited Mart Reimann to participate in the 2nd International Conference Development of Tourism and Hospitality Industry: Problems, Prospects and Competitiveness, which will be held by the department on November 18, 2022, and establish an exchange of students between universities.
Associate Professor Liubov Boiko led a wonderful tour for the guest in the park, library and buildings of the University, told about its history and traditions, about honorary professors and guests of the University. Prof. Liubov Boiko shared interesting stories from the life of students majoring in Tourism and Hotel and Restaurant Business.
Associate Professor Mart Reimann spoke about the peculiarities of the higher education system in the tourism, hotel and restaurant business in Estonia, about his teaching and practical experience in this field, and asked about the peculiarities of educational activities at the University during martial law. Mart Reimann noted that the Tallinn University did not remain aloof from the problems that arose in the tourism field in Ukraine due to the war, and it is implement a project of restoring rural tourism in Ukraine within the aid of the EU countries. To this end, it is planned to develop a Strategy for the development of rural tourism in Ukraine by the lecturers of Tallinn University and Ukrainian universities, and support entrepreneurs who develop this direction of economic activity.
The University guest noted that it is necessary to implement foreign experience in the development of tourism in the Ukrainian economy, to establish a business in the rural tourism field that works successfully in European countries.
The meeting participants decided to continue cooperation between universities and departments within the discussed areas of activity and the future project.
