Portrait of the IF Catarinense Tourism Management Technology Course: reality, perceptions and perspectives

Resumen

The work of a Federal Institute (IF) directly influences society through its graduates, research, outreach, and, above all, teaching. However, regarding the Tourism Management Program at IF Catarinense – Campus Sombrio, there is no systematic knowledge about its evolution, with data that could portray its organizational history. Data such as dropout rates, alumni performance, outreach, institutional partnerships, and other contributions are known but not systematically recorded. It is considered appropriate that, having reached more than a decade of operation in the Far South of Santa Catarina, through public higher education, build a collection of information that can highlight the program's trajectory and qualifications. The objective of this research is to present the trajectory and perceptions of social actors regarding the development process of the Technology in Tourism Management Program over its 10 years of operation. The investigation was conducted through documentary research and a survey of students, faculty, and alumni. The results highlighted gaps such as a significant dropout rate, lack of laboratory infrastructure, moderate employability, poor marketing, and low engagement with the regional trade. On the other hand, positive evaluations were also made, such as faculty qualifications, quality of instruction, technical trips, practical classes, and events. It can be concluded that systematically understanding the program's offerings, based on a diagnosis presented by faculty, students, and alumni, contributed significantly to decision-making regarding the identified gaps in the management of an undergraduate course.