Gujarat approves country's first institute combining hospitality, heritage management, archaeology

The Gujarat government has approved a proposal by Gujarat University to establish what is being described as the country’s first integrated institute combining hospitality, heritage management, archaeology, and lifelong learning studies.

The state government has sanctioned an initial grant of ₹10.86 crore towards the project, which has an estimated total cost of ₹36.21 crore.

The proposal was submitted by Gujarat University ahead of the current financial year’s budget, seeking permission to establish a specialised institute focused on heritage and hospitality-related disciplines.

According to officials, the institute will be developed on the university campus near Andhajan Mandal.

University authorities said the institution would be unique in the country as it would combine hospitality and hotel management studies with archaeology, heritage management, and museology under a single academic framework.

Vice-Chancellor Neerja Gupta said there is currently no comparable government or private institution in India offering such an integrated academic model.

The institute is expected to offer five specialised programmes covering archaeology, hospitality, hotel management, heritage management, museology, and lifelong learning.

According to the government resolution granting administrative approval, the project will be subject to several conditions before construction can commence.

The university has been directed to prepare detailed building plans and cost estimates and obtain technical approval from the competent authorities.

The construction design will have to be prepared either by the state Road and Buildings Department or another designated agency approved by the government.

The resolution also requires the university to obtain all necessary statutory clearances, including environmental and other regulatory approvals.

Officials said the total project grant of ₹36.21 crore would be released in three instalments as the project progresses.