SIXTY tourism and hospitality students of Solomon’s University received hands-on-job information from the Solomon Islands National Youth Congress yesterday.

Solomon Islands National Youth Congress (SINYC) together with SINU’s Institute of Tourism and Hospitality facilitated a one-day session yesterday.

The session raised awareness regarding Youth Congress current and past projects which target sustainable tourism and community-based tourism in Solomon Islands.

Youth Congress used the opportunity to disseminate and activate the Erasmus+ programme and European Voluntary Service exchange programme under the STARS project.

SINYC Officer, Theresa Keni assures students that the Youth Congress is looking to activate its programmes and activities this year to enable students on tourism activities.

She said this hands-on-job information session is an add-on tool to their learning which will benefit students academically and professionally.

To continue roll-out the project, Theresa said Youth Congress will have dialogue with SINU to re-strengthen its exchange programme with the University of La Luguna in Spain for students to engage in real hands-on-job.

She also said they will start to roll-out CBT and hike creation with Provincial Youth Council in Solomon Islands to engage young people which described as opportunity to mobilise tourism around the provinces.

SINU’s Director for Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Mr Charlie Panakera said the School really appreciates SINYC’s session which has added value to students broadening their learning capacity to participate actively is class discussions.

“The relationships Youth Congress starts, it adds value to tourism students and University, a connection with real life experience not only to understand the theory but how to apply them in actual event,” Mr Panakera said.

Director Panakera said they look forward to partnership with Youth Congress basically for their academic strength and to ensure continuous connection with communities for benefits of students after living school.

The introduction to tourism session Mr Panakera said is crucial for students, and they valued the facilitation programme led by the National Youth Congress.

One of the facilitators, Junita Ngai who went to Spain last year under SIYNC’s exchange programme following STARS project encourages students to explore in tourism industry.

She said they already established partnership with Erasmus+ and STARS, and Youth Congress preparing to send volunteers and receive participants from partnering countries.