NATOUR Programme Curriculum
The NATOUR Curriculum has been developed based on the Competence profile of a graduate in Ecotourism and Nature Guiding, taking into account the results of the desk research on the existing programmes in this field of study delivered by universities in Latin America and in Europe.
The curriculum defines the structure of the Joint programme in Ecotourism and Nature Guiding (indicative contents, structured by modules), intended learning outcomes, teaching/learning activities, as well as assessment methods and tools.
>> Download the NATOUR Curriculum
The NATOUR Curriculum provides basis for the implementation of the joint programme in partner universities, and is used by all stakeholder groups:
PC HEIs use the designed curriculum to offer a new joint post-graduate programme in the field of Ecotourism and Nature guiding.
Teaching staff use the curriculum to plan the educational process, develop teaching/learning materials and assessment tools, in order to ensure high quality learning for their students.
The Curriculum sets a framework for students’ learning. It serves as a guide that establishes a standard for student performance, and allows students to understand the requirements for award of the qualification (diploma).
By enrolling in the NATOUR programme, students: 1) acquire new competences in the field of Ecotourism and Nature guiding; 2) obtain formal national qualification – diploma in Ecotourism and Nature guiding, as well as internationally recognized Certificate of Interpretive Guide from Interpret Europe; 3) enhance their employability or start their own company in the Ecotourism sector.
Ecotourism companies participated in the NATOUR curriculum design by helping to identify the skill set the joint study programme should aim to develop, and will engage in the delivery of the programme by hosting NATOUR students for internships.
Employers in the Ecotourism sector will benefit by having access to qualified labour force that has a skill set required in the sector and will exploit their competences to design better ecotourism products that have minimal impact on the environment.
Public bodies benefit from the NATOUR programme as it contributes to the national priority of developing professional qualifications for the rapidly growing Ecotourism sector.
