ICP (International Course Program)

Year

2025 - Ongoing

Partners

VLIR-UOS International Course Programme (ICP), University of Cuenca (UCUENCA), PREIT-Tour Research Group, VIVES University of Applied Sciences.

Area of Study

Faculty of Hospitality Sciences at the University of Cuenca, with a focus on tourism, hospitality, and sustainable destination development within an international academic cooperation framework.

Introduction

The ICP initiative aims to promote intercultural learning and strengthen both academic and personal competencies through mobility and collaboration between institutions and participants from diverse cultural and geographic contexts. The project is embedded within the broader framework of international academic cooperation supported by VLIR-UOS, which fosters partnerships between universities in the Global South and institutions in Europe.

At the University of Cuenca, the initiative is coordinated in connection with the PREIT-tour research group and the Faculty of Hospitality Sciences, creating opportunities for students and faculty to engage in international academic exchange while addressing key challenges related to sustainable tourism development.

Program Description

The project focuses on the implementation of an international academic exchange program centered on sustainable tourism education. It combines academic training, institutional collaboration, and mobility opportunities designed to strengthen both teaching and research capacities.

Key components of the initiative include the development of English-language academic training, the design and implementation of a course on sustainability in tourism, and the alignment and homologation of curricula between partner universities to facilitate student mobility. These elements are complemented by institutional cooperation mechanisms such as coordination meetings, joint academic planning, and collaborative work among international academic teams.

Through these activities, the program promotes the integration of sustainability principles into higher education in tourism and hospitality. It also supports the creation of stronger academic networks and encourages the participation of students and faculty members in international exchange experiences.

Purpose and Impact

The ICP project contributes to the internationalization of higher education at the University of Cuenca and strengthens academic cooperation between partner institutions. By fostering mobility and intercultural dialogue, the program helps students develop global perspectives while improving their academic and professional skills.

For the Faculty of Hospitality Sciences, the initiative represents an important step toward embedding sustainability into tourism education and expanding international opportunities for students in Hospitality, Hotel Management, and Tourism. At the same time, it reinforces the role of PREIT-tour as a platform that connects research, education, and international collaboration in the field of sustainable tourism.