Dr Rishi Balkaran, Durban University of Technology (DUT) Acting Executive Dean in the Faculty of Management Sciences was recently appointed as president of Tourism Educators South Africa (TESA).

“I am pleased and excited about the opportunity to contribute to the tourism and hospitality sector,” Dr Balkaran said.

“I see my role as president of TESA as part and parcel of my job as Acting Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences. Managing both positions will require much doing, however, the benefits are enormous,” he added.

In his three-year term as president of TESA Dr Balkaran said he will ensure a smooth transition between FET colleges and higher education articulation. He plans to unite all education providers in the tourism and hospitality sector, with a view to enhance and develop tourism related policies and practices in education. “I also aim to encourage and initiate research between the governmental, private and education sectors of tourism,” he said.

Other key functions of the federation include promoting career opportunities in the tourism industry as well as national and international collaboration with like-minded organisations.

Additionally, Balkaran hopes to see a development of close relations between government and the higher education sector in KwaZulu-Natal.

TESA was formed in 2008. The members of the organisation include universities of technology, FET colleges, comprehensive universities, government and the private sector. A federation of education and training providers in the greater tourism industry in South Africa, it declares its commitment to the development and enhancement of education and training, promoting quality learning programmes or curricula within the field of its members.

– Naledi Hlefane