Tourism teachers go on foreign tour enmasse

Sixteen out of nineteen teachers of Tourism and Hospitality Management of Dhaka University under the business faculty have gone to Indonesia and Singapore for a nine-day academic tour on Monday, while the other three have not gone due to their personal problems. The teachers are supposed to return on March 10.

But students of the department alleged that because of the tour, they will suffer badly in the academic studies.

The department now looks like a desert because of the absence of teachers and students. Only two officials were found sitting idly at the department office room yesterday.

According to the university sources, there are about 750 students including the evening MBA programme in the department. Though the teachers, who have not gone to the tour, are conducting scheduled classes, most of the classes are postponed till March 8, because of the tour.

"Our 2nd midterm exam has not started yet. Now we will face problems preparing for the next semester exam," said a 3rd semester student. 

Moreover, Teachers of all 37 public universities began an indefinite strike on January 11 to January 19 over "pay disparity". Some students alleged that because of the teachers' agitation, they have lagged behind. Now with the addition of the tour, they will face problem again.

"We have more than 10 classes a week. We don't know how our make up classes will be conducted. Teachers also did not conduct make up classes after last moth's agitation," said a 5th semester student.

"I am anxious that I may not obtain expected result in the final exam because of these stoppages, it adds a lot pressure at the end of the semester," a final year student alleged.

Fresher are also nervous as many of them are struggling in their courses. "The break of regular classes will put me behind in my studies," said a fresher seeking anonymity.

An official of the administration department of the university showed a leave approval paper to this correspondent where it shows that the teachers will go for the tour on a "duty leave". It also said that they have to attend two programs in Indonesia on 2nd March and 3rd March. They will conduct a joint program with Sekolah Tinggi Pariwisata Bandung University, Indonesia on those two days.

Takriama Sayeda, a lecturer of the department who could not join the tour for personal problems, said, "Teachers' tour is a common phenomena of our department. Our teachers will also present papers there."

"It's not a recreational tour; it's only for academic purposes. Pro-vice chancellor (administration) of the university also went with them. The VC office approved the tour," she added.

Acting chairman of the department Md Badruzzaman Bhuiyan, who could not join the tour, told The Daily Star, "…As Singapore is a developed country and famous for Tourism, the teachers will visit many tourism sites to achieve hands-on experience and practical knowledge."

Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam, dean of the business faculty, could not be reached even after several phone calls.

AAMS Arefin Siddique, vice-chancellor said, "There is no restriction from the university on visiting any foreign countries for all the teachers of a department for academic purposes," adding, teachers may take extra classes to make up the classes which could not be held as per schedule.