The Department of Hospitality and Tourism at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) recently had the honour of hosting Professor Carlos Ferreira from the University of Coimbra in Portugal at the DUT Hotel School on the Ritson Campus in Durban.
The visit follows the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the DUT Department of Hospitality and Tourism and the University of Coimbra’s Department of Geography and Tourism. The agreement aims to promote collaboration in teaching, student exchange, and research.
The MoU was initiated and successfully facilitated by Professor Reshma Sucheran, Associate Professor in the DUT Department of Hospitality and Tourism, whose leadership and commitment to international collaboration played a pivotal role in establishing this strategic partnership.
Prof Ferreira is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Tourism at the University of Coimbra and currently serves as the Coordinator of the Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism, Territory and Heritage. He is also a member of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Pedagogical Council, the Department’s Scientific Board, and serves as the Departmental Mobility Coordinator for Tourism.
He holds a PhD in Geography from the University of Lisbon, awarded with Distinction and Honours, as well as a Master’s degree in Human Geography and Regional and Local Planning. His doctoral research focused on Portugal as a tourism destination for the European elderly population, reflecting his longstanding interest in tourism geography, demographic change, and destination development.
Prof Ferreira highlighted that the purpose of his visit to DUT was to foster collaboration between the two institutions, particularly in teaching, student engagement, and research. He added that there are many opportunities to further strengthen and expand the collaboration.
“The main purpose of my visit is to see how we can make this collaboration happen and, hopefully, with DUT staff visiting the University of Coimbra in the near future, further strengthen this collaboration. We can collaborate not only in student and staff mobility but also on research initiatives, staff engagement in projects, and research papers, so there are plenty of things we can do together,” said Prof Ferreira.
He expressed appreciation for his experience in South Africa and Durban, describing South Africa as a vast country with friendly people and significant potential, particularly for tourism development.
Prof Reshma Sucheran emphasized that the visit is the result of a recently concluded MoU between DUT and the University of Coimbra.
“In addition to that, we have established an exchange through Erasmus+ funding, and in the next few months, one of our staff members will travel to the University of Coimbra on the Erasmus Exchange Programme,” said Prof Sucheran.
She mentioned that the idea behind the MoU came after the departments identified similarities between the University of Coimbra’s tourism department and DUT. She added that they are looking to establish a long term relationship and collaboration focused on exchange and research, particularly in the fields of sustainable, cultural, and heritage tourism.
Pictured: Professor Carlos Ferreira with the Department of Hospitality and Tourism staff during his visit to DUT.
Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini
Thulasizwe Nkomo
