Pondicherry University
About Pondicherry University
Pondicherry University is one of the fastest growing Central Universities in the country with a mission to train young minds to excel in diverse careers and contribute to nation building through quality education and by creating ample scope for path-breaking research works. The University, established by an Act of Parliament in the year 1985, has grown from strength to strength in all avenues over the years.
Globally, Pondicherry University has etched the imprint of a world-class academic institution for its remarkable research outputs and sterling on-campus placement record. Students and research scholars pan India and abroad find PU a preferred centre for learning which is evident from the overwhelming responses of applicants for admissions every academic season. There are 15 Schools, 55 Departments and 2 Community Colleges located in six campuses in Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, Yanam, Lakshadweep, and Port Blair offering courses in consonance with the requirements and spirit of the contemporary societal dynamics and meeting varied educational needs, leading to exciting and lucrative careers.
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The Vision of the Department is to act as a change agent for principled, socially responsible, and creative leadership in Tourism education, industry, consultancy, and research by providing value and need-based quality education for present and future business and academic leaders; and advance research and outreach programmes for the larger cause of tourism industry and academia.
The Mission of DTS is to strive a great deal to attain the goal of inspiring students and scholars to gear-up for facing the industrial and career challenges and enriching the best tourism management practices and providing platforms for young leaders to demonstrate their leadership skills and acumen and teaching them values and ethics for serving the society honestly and in a committed manner by:
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- Designing distinctive programmes which are relevant, contemporary, and participative;
- Developing individuals personally as well as professionally;
- Promoting practical management skills alongside theoretical business knowledge;
- Generating cutting-edge research, both theoretical and actionable;
- Fostering a vibrant and entrepreneurial business culture; and
- Delivering pragmatic solutions to the industry that are expected to address sustainable and responsible tourism issues.
The Vision of the Department is to act as a change agent for principled, socially responsible, and creative leadership in Tourism education, industry, consultancy, and research by providing value and need-based quality education for present and future business and academic leaders; and advance research and outreach programmes for the larger cause of tourism industry and academia.
The Mission of DTS is to strive a great deal to attain the goal of inspiring students and scholars to gear-up for facing the industrial and career challenges and enriching the best tourism management practices and providing platforms for young leaders to demonstrate their leadership skills and acumen and teaching them values and ethics for serving the society honestly and in a committed manner by:
-
- Designing distinctive programmes which are relevant, contemporary, and participative;
- Developing individuals personally as well as professionally;
- Promoting practical management skills alongside theoretical business knowledge;
- Generating cutting-edge research, both theoretical and actionable;
- Fostering a vibrant and entrepreneurial business culture; and
- Delivering pragmatic solutions to the industry that are expected to address sustainable and responsible tourism issues.
Core Team @ Pondicherry University
Dr. Sampada Kumar Swain
Professor and Project Coordinator
Dr. Sampada Kumar Swain
Professor and Project Coordinator
Since 1995, active involvement in teaching, research, writing, training, consultancy, and administration has been maintained. The career began as a licensed guide with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, followed by various roles in academia and the corporate sector. Leadership positions such as Head of Department, Dean, Registrar, and IQAC Director have been held. Contributions have been made to AICTE, UGC, and ICSSR through curriculum development, research proposal evaluations, and jury memberships.
Authorship of Tourism Principles and Practices (Oxford University Press) and over 50 research articles, including Scopus-indexed ones, has been achieved. Supervision of 10 Ph.D. scholars and management of UGC- and ICSSR-funded projects on sustainable tourism have been undertaken. The distinction of being the first scholar in Odisha to earn a Ph.D. in Tourism and India’s first D.Litt. in the field has been attained.
Currently, consultancy for tourism policy and training under World Bank-funded projects is being provided.
Prof Anu Chandran RC
Professor and Head, Project Co-Coordinator
Prof Anu Chandran RC
Professor and Head, Project Co-Coordinator
Dr. R.C. Anu Chandran, a Professor in the Department of Tourism Studies at Pondicherry University, has gained 21 years of teaching experience and over a year of administrative service as a Divisional Tourism Officer in Andhra Pradesh. A Ph.D. in Management Studies was awarded by the University of Kerala, and seven books, including The Flavours of Cultural Tourism Management and Looking Beyond, have been published. An edited volume, Tourism and Peace, was recently released by the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
Four Ph.D. scholars have been awarded degrees under his guidance, while six are currently being supervised. Seventy research papers have been published in national and international journals, including SCOPUS-indexed ones. Presentations have been delivered at global conferences, including UNESCO and UNWTO events. Consultancy for Odisha tourism promotion and backwater tourism in Kerala has been provided. Multiple Best Teacher Awards and commendations have been received.
- Email:anoos_ind@pondiuni.ac.in
Dr Sibi P S
Professor & Deputy DSW
Dr Sibi P S
Professor & Deputy DSW
Dr. Sibi P.S. is serving as a Professor in the Department of Tourism Studies and holds the additional responsibility of Deputy Dean, Students’ Welfare at Pondicherry University, India. A Ph.D. in Tourism Studies was obtained from Pondicherry University, along with degrees from Madurai Kamaraj University and Calicut University. Prior to joining Pondicherry University in 2008, teaching positions were held at Bharata Mata College, Cochin, and GPM Government College, Kasaragod.
Deputation to the Central University of Kerala led to the establishment of the Department of Tourism Studies in 2019. One book, 33 research papers, two E-Pathshala modules, and several study materials have been published. Research interests include Indigenous, Community-based, Inclusive, and Special Interest Tourism. Two national conferences and eight workshops have been organized. Papers have been presented at 50 national and international conferences, 11 invited talks have been delivered, and membership in 21 academic bodies has been held. Work on two research projects is ongoing.
- Phone:+91-97915 64609
- Email:sibigeorgekutty@pondiuni.ac.in
Dr Sherry Abraham
Associate Professor
Dr Sherry Abraham
Associate Professor
Dr. Sherry Abraham, an Associate Professor in the Department of Tourism Studies at Pondicherry University, has accumulated over 33 years of experience in tourism and hospitality education, research, and industry engagement. A Ph.D. in Tourism was earned from Bharathidasan University, Trichy, along with a Swiss Certificate in Hospitality Education from the Swiss Hotel Management School, Switzerland.
Extensive contributions have been made to tourism and hospitality education through the authorship and co-authorship of books, research papers, and study materials on sustainable tourism, event management, and hospitality operations. More than 45 research papers have been published in reputed journals. Membership has been held in WICCI, the International Society for Hospitality Education, and the Indian Tourism and Hospitality Congress, along with active participation in the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
The Best Teacher Award was received from Pondicherry University. International exposure includes visits to over 20 countries for academic and professional development. Coordination of academic events and industry training programs has been successfully undertaken.
- Phone:+91-94426 49409
- Email:venkat.dts@pondiuni.edu.in
Dr. Y Venkata Rao
Professor and DSW
Dr. Y Venkata Rao
Professor and DSW
Dr. Venkata Rao, a Professor and Dean of Students’ Welfare at Pondicherry University, has earned multiple academic qualifications, including a Ph.D. in HRD, first-class degrees in MHRM and MBA, and a UGC-NET qualification. Certifications from IIM Ahmedabad (International FDP) and IIM Indore (NFLP) have also been obtained.
With nearly 30 years of teaching and research experience in specialized MBA programs, 10 years have been served at the professor level. Six research projects funded by UGC, ICSSR, and the Ministry of Tourism have been completed, and 12 Ph.D. scholars have been awarded degrees under his supervision. A digital learning platform (LMS) was developed on Open edX.
Industry collaborations have facilitated placements for 400 MBA-Tourism students, along with international study opportunities in France. Contributions have been made to Puducherry’s tourism policy, museum development, and tour guide training. Over 35 research papers, six books, and eight conference proceedings, including one in the UK, have been published. International academic engagements span 12 countries. Multiple Best Teacher Awards have been received.
- Phone:+91-94426 49409
- Email:venkat.dts@pondiuni.edu.in