Cooperation Networks
University of Tartu Pärnu College is a member of following cooperation networks:
- Travel and Tourism Reasearch Association (TTRA)
The Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) aims to support the travel and tourism sector and its educational development with research publications and the promotion of networking among its members. The main goal of TTRA is to promote professional research in the travel and tourism industry. TTRA organizes annual scientific conferences, provides scholarships for students and academic staff, arranges webinars on research methods and other specific issues.
University of Tartu Pärnu College has been a member of TTRA since 2012. As a member, Tartu University Pärnu College participates in annual ATLAS conferences by contributing presentations and articles. Heli Müristaja has been a TTRA Europe Board Member from 2013.
- The European Federation of the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, & Institutional Education (EuroCHRIE)
EuroChrie is the official federation in Europe, the Mediterranean Basin and Africa for its parent organization, International CHRIE. EuroCHRIE represents 169 International CHRIE members – hospitality and tourism management schools and universities. The organization works in close cooperation with industry representatives both in the public and private sectors aiming to shape the future of hospitality and tourism.
EuroCHRIE offers its members an excellent opportunity to share information through conferences, publications and supporting individual networking.
University of Tartu Pärnu College has been a member of EuroCHRIE since 2003. Lecturers in the Tourism Studies department have participated in the annual EuroCHRIE conferences by contributing articles and presentations. EuroCHRIE has been a valuable source of good contacts with hospitality and tourism researchers and educators from Europe and all over the world. These contacts have enabled Tartu University Pärnu College to invite many to Pärnu to give lectures not only to students, but also to representatives of the tourism and hotel sector. The department of Tourism Studies also cooperates with EuroCHRIE in research projects and scientific articles, and participates in staff exchange.
- International Association of Hotel Schools (EUHOFA)
International Association of Hotel Schools EUHOFA was established in 1955 and brings together leading hotel and tourism schools. Currently, it has more than 200 members all over the world. All the members should contribute to the improvement of high quality professional education. The organization aims to promote networking among hotel and tourism schools and initiate new development projects.
University of Tartu Pärnu College has been a member of EUHOFA since 2003. UT Pärnu College is represented at annual World Congresses and meanwhile is active in discussions about curriculum development, intermediation of internship and innovative projects. In 2011, Pärnu College, in cooperation with the Estonian School of Hotel and Tourism Management, was honoured to organize the 50th Jubilee Congress.
- Estonian Association of Travel Agents
- Estonian Hotel and Restaurant Association
- Estonian Spa Association
- Association of Estonian Tourism Education (in Estonian)
- The Association for Tourism and Leisure Education (ATLAS)
The Association for Tourism and Leisure Education ATLAS was founded in 1991 to promote cooperation between professional and educational institutions of tourism and leisure. ATLAS organizes exchanges of staff and students between member institutions, coordinates transnational research and supports professional and curriculum development. At present ATLAS has members in more than 70 countries.
Currently members of ATLAS can participate in 11 Special Interest Groups related to research and development projects in the tourism and leisure sector. The publication of research results is supported by internationally known publishing houses.
University of Tartu Pärnu College has been a member of ATLAS since 2011. As a member, Tartu University Pärnu College participates in different research groups and annual ATLAS conferences by contributing presentations and articles.
- Service Design Network (SDN)
University of Tartu Pärnu College has been a legal member of Service Design Network since 2010. SDN is a network of international organizations, connecting enterprises and universities interested in service design and the development of this field. SDN is an active community organizing conferences, seminars, publishing journals etc. The membership has contributed to the development of the service design competence in Pärnu College, acting as the developer of the field in Estonia. SDN is headed by Professor Birgit Mager, who gives lectures for master students of the Service Design and Management programme in Pärnu College.
- European Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ECSB)
University of Tartu Pärnu College has been a legal member of European Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship since 2006. The representatives of ECSB are Senior Lecturer Arvi Kuura and Lecturer Margus Kõomägi. ECSB is the biggest, oldest and respective organization of development of entrepreneurship in Europe. There are 400 members from 30 countries. ECSB belongs to the International Council for Small Business (http://www.icsb.org/). ECSB/ICSB connects experts and academics. Arvi Kuura is a national Vice-President in Estonia.
- International Project Management Association (IPMA)
University of Tartu Pärnu College has been a legal member of International Project Management Association since 2008. The representative is Senior Lecturer Arvi Kuura. IPMA is the biggest, oldest and respective organization of project management in the world. IPMA is an umbrella organization for national professional organizations, connecting over 50 national organizations from each continent.