The delegation from Chiang Mai University (CMU)—comprising Asst. Prof. Dr. Orawit Thinnukool, Acting Assistant Dean for International Collaboration and Fundraising, College of Arts, Media and Technology; Asst. Prof. Dr. Pattaraporn Kuwutayakorn, faculty member of the College; and Asst. Prof. Dr. Yuthasak Chatkaewnapanon, Head of the Department of Tourism, Faculty of Humanities—participated in the Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting of the Tourism-Zero project (Curriculum Development for Zero Waste Management in the Hospitality and Tourism Sector) held on 16–17 October 2025 at Harokopio University of Athens, Hellenic Republic (Greece).

The objective of the PSC Meeting was to review the project’s progress and overall implementation during its first year, to prepare the consortium for the submission of the first-year progress report. Representatives from over ten partner institutions across Europe and Asia joined the discussions, shared insights, monitored deliverable submissions, and reviewed upcoming plans for the second and third project years.

The Tourism-Zero project is co-funded by the European Union (EU) under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) action. It is a three-year initiative running from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2027, aiming to enhance the capacity of higher-education institutions to address zero-waste management in the hospitality and tourism sector. Over the past year, ten universities and partner organizations have actively collaborated to achieve the project’s deliverables and strengthen regional cooperation in sustainable tourism education.

The next phase of the Tourism-Zero project will focus on developing four non-degree online courses on Zero-Waste Management in Tourism and Hospitality. These courses aim to provide learners with up-to-date knowledge, best practices, and practical skills aligned with the evolving needs of the labor market, supporting both students and professionals in upgrading and reskilling for a sustainable future.

During the visit, the CMU delegation also met with Professor Dimitris Zmpainos, Head of the Department of Economics and Sustainable Development, and Professor Loannis Kostakis, Erasmus+ Project Beneficially Member of the Harokopio University of Athens. The meeting explored further academic and research collaborations under the Memorandum of Understanding between Harokopio University of Athens and Chiang Mai University, including opportunities for joint research, academic exchanges, and mobility programs under Erasmus+, thereby strengthening the relationship between the two institutions.

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