SIPAS | POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE OF SETÚBAL (IPS) HOSTS A GENERAL FOLLOW-UP MEETING OF THE SIPAS PROJECT

The School of Business Sciences (ESCE) at the Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal (IPS) recently hosted the general follow-up meeting of the SIPAS Project — Sustainability, Innovation, and Practices for the Advancement of Services — an Erasmus+ funded international initiative aimed at transforming the tourism and hospitality education sector. The meeting was held from 8 th to 11 th June at Setubal, Portugal.

The meeting brought together academic teams from partner institutions:

• Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (Latvia)
• Pondicherry University (India)
• National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (India)
• Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal (Portugal)

Objectives:

The primary aims of the follow-up meeting were to:

• Review progress on all seven work packages
• Align implementation strategies across partner institutions
• Foster cross-cultural collaboration and project visibility
• Plan next-phase activities for 2025–2026

Key Activities:

• Work Package Review:

1. Project Management and Coordination
2. Needs Analysis & Curriculum Development
3. Pilot Course Development
4. Teacher Training
5. Innovation Centres Development
6. Quality Management
7. Dissemination of Results
8. Dissemination of Results:

• Strategic Sessions:

Held across multiple venues in Setúbal — ESCE/IPS campus, Setúbal Town Hall, and Casa da Baía.

Cultural & Networking Activities Strengthened institutional ties and fostered cross-cultural dialogue.

Project Impact and Outlook

The SIPAS Project focuses on enhancing tourism and hospitality education by integrating sustainability principles and emerging technologies such as virtual and augmented reality.

Planned outputs over the next 24 months include:

• Launch of pilot teaching modules in India
• Establishment of innovation labs at Indian partner institutions
• Delivery of international conferences, faculty training, and student engagement programs

ESCE/IPS expresses heartfelt thanks to all participating institutions for their valuable contributions and to the Setúbal City Council and the Latvian Honorary Consul in Portugal for their unwavering support. Their involvement played a key role in the event’s success and the broader mission of the project.
This follow-up meeting not only demonstrated the strength of the international partnership but also reaffirmed IPS’s role as a hub for global academic collaboration, sustainable education, and forward-looking innovation in the field of tourism.