Bridging Borders through Erasmus+ Education: Dr. Rupam Konar Delivered Academic Sessions in Denmark

Dr. Rupam Konar, Programme Director for the PhD in Hospitality & Tourism and Master of Science (Tourism) at Taylor’s University, Malaysia, recently completed a week-long Erasmus+ Staff Mobility Teaching assignment at Zealand – Sjællands Erhvervsakademi in Denmark. Representing Taylor’s, he delivered a series of engaging and interactive lectures across the Roskilde and Slagelse campuses, reaching undergraduate students from the business, logistics, and tourism programmes.

His sessions, centred on “Service Excellence through Sustainable Supply Chain Management” and “Destination Service Development”, seamlessly integrated real-world case studies and collaborative problem-solving exercises, effectively bridging theoretical frameworks with practical applications. Students responded enthusiastically, offering diverse cultural insights and thought-provoking questions that enriched classroom discussions and highlighted the value of transnational education.

Concurrently, the visit also catalyzed significant research momentum. Dr. Rupam engaged in exploratory meetings with colleagues from Zealand and other participating scholars to strengthen institutional collaboration through the Sustainable Tourism Impact Lab, which focuses on joint research initiatives. The discussions advanced plans for collaborative applications to the Danish Innovation Fund, with the goal of securing grants to investigate regenerative tourism models and circular economy practices within the hospitality sector. By linking Taylor’s University’s International Research Network (IRN) with Zealand’s Research Centre for Business Innovation, the mobility experience not only broadened perspectives in the classroom but also laid the foundation for long-term research collaborations that will shape sustainable tourism discourse across regions.

The visit was supported by Zealand’s International Office, whose meticulous logistical coordination ensured a seamless and productive teaching experience. Informal networking sessions with fellow visiting scholars from across Europe further expanded professional connections and sparked discussions on future collaborative modules and virtual exchange initiatives.

This impactful engagement underscores the mutual benefits of the Erasmus+ programme: students gained a global perspective on service excellence, while Taylor’s University further deepened its strategic partnership with Zealand. Dr. Rupam returns to Malaysia inspired by Scandinavian best practices, ready to incorporate new examples into his teaching, and eager to cultivate the promising academic collaborations established during this enriching mobility experience. He also brings home a renewed appreciation for Zealand’s learner-centred ethos and Denmark’s renowned hospitality.