The Gujarat government has approved a proposal by Gujarat University to set up what is being described as India’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 for the project, which has an estimated total cost of ₹36.21 crore.
Gujarat University had submitted the proposal before the current financial year’s budget, seeking approval to establish a specialised institute focused on heritage and hospitality-related education.
According to officials, the institute will come up on the university campus near Andhajan Mandal.
University authorities said the institute would be unique in the country as it would bring together hospitality and hotel management studies along with archaeology, heritage management and museology under one academic structure.
Vice-Chancellor Neerja Gupta said there is currently no similar government or private institute in India offering such an integrated model of education.
The institute is expected to offer five specialised programmes in archaeology, hospitality, hotel management, heritage management, museology and lifelong learning.
As per the government resolution granting administrative approval, the project will have to meet several conditions before construction begins.
The university has been asked to prepare detailed building plans and cost estimates and obtain technical approval from the concerned authorities.
Officials said the building design must be prepared either by the state Road and Buildings Department or another government-approved agency.
The university will also have to secure all necessary statutory and environmental clearances before work starts.
According to officials, the total project grant of ₹36.21 crore will be released in three instalments as the project progresses.