Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT), WB wants to be a true friend of students and help them in their future career building. As many traditional career paths are losing their importance, the Vice Chancellor of MAKAUT Prof. (Dr.) Saikat Maitra wnts to create new opportunities and is introducing modern courses, which have much more future prospects. According to him, one such lucrative career is VR/AR Tourism and the University is in the process of developing a structured programme with a definite Course Curriculum in this area. It applies the emerging technologies and Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in expanding the scope of travel and tourism industry.

The speakers from left to right Dr, Phanikanta Mishra,  Mr. Anjan Dey, Prof, Saikat Maitra,  Mr. Samir Mukherjee, Mr. J. P, Shaw, Mr. Monish Mondal  Mr. Pradip Chopra and Ms, Sarani Bhaumik

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In order to inform the students and researchers about the scope of these immersive technologies in the said field, the Department of Travel & Tourism under the School of Management Sciences of the University organized a Digital Masterclass on "How to Build a VR/AR Tourism Career with the help of Emerging Technology" in digital mode on the 10th of August, 2020. The partners were institutions like iLead, VR/AR Academia and ABP Education.

Prof. (Dr) Saikat Maitra

Prof. Maitra mentioned at the outset that because of the worldwide pandemic, our movements are restricted and we have to redo everything from multiple perspectives. However, every human being enjoys travelling and wants to explore the nature, as well as beauties of different places. In this respect VR/AR technology has come in a new way in the field of entertainment. he said, "We have to use the potential of this technology to enjoy everything virtually. The immersive feeling of this technology is of great help in enjoying tourism. The intention of our University is to develop a structured programme with a definite course curriculum in this area. This a new area where jobs will be created in the near future and our responsibility is skill development in such fields. Travel and Tourism must be intermingled with VR/AR Technology for the benefit of this industry and herein lies the scope of this curiculum."

Prof. Samir Mukherjee

Prof. Samir Mukherjee, the HOD, Department of Emerging Technology & VR/AR/MR/XR, MAKAUT and also an international expert in this field stressed on the importancc of enhancing the technical skills of the students in this field. He was the moderator of the programme and the co-ordinator was Ms. Sarani Bhaumik, faculty in the Department of Travel & Tourism.

Mr. Pradip Chopra

Mr. Pradip Chopra, the Chairman of iLead has rightly pointed out that one lifetime is very short to visit a large number of places. With VR/AR Technology one can sit in the drawing room and get a feel of tourism. Also this immersive technology will enhance the scope of tourism for the aged and sick people, whose movements are restricted. Mr. Chopra mentioned that there is tremendous scope of VR/AR programmes based on history. In restoration work, one must have a deep understanding of VR/AR technology. Anybody having a combination of knowledge in these areas will have a good opportunity to get a job. Again there is a wide scope of start-ups as many professionals will be required in this area, as 2D projection formats must be converted to VR/AR format in future. Regarding the new course the University is going to develop, Mr. Chopra said that the syllabus must be comprehensive and expert resource persons should be appointed.

Dr. Phanikanta Mishra

Dr. Phanikanta Mishra, Ex-Regional Director, East, Archaeological Survey of India said that, there are 80,000 Archaeological sites in India and it is not possible to visit all, Even if a person goes to a site, it is not possible to see the entire site. eg., Bhimbhetka, Harappa-Mohenjodaro etc. So VR/AR technologies are specially relevant for researchers and scholars. Again rush to monuments is spoiling those sites. VR technology can check it. Visual and virtual have to be combined to encourage research in this area and also protect the monuments. He said, "We can curve history in a proper way by sitting at home. However we have to convince the archaeologists and administrators about its importance. Thus, it needs strong marketing.

Mr. J. P. Shaw

Mr. J. P. Shaw, the Head of the Department of Department of Travel & tourism, MAKAUT, WB and Ex Regional Director-East under Ministry of Tourism, Government of India said that the students will be greatly benefited from this course and they can build start-ups for selling packages to families and hotels. This technology is growing manifold and that is for the better of touriss, researcers and students.

Mr. Anjan Dey

Mr. Monish Mondal

Mr. Anjan Dey, the CEO of VR/AR Academia and Mr. Monish Mondal, Technical Head and Drone R&D of Drone Academia highlighted the importance of drone technology and the government rules in the field of VR/AR .