Abstract

• The future of Myanmar lies in the capability of youth today by adapting educational excellence. Research and Development in educational institutions that produce graduates with global education are of vital importance for sustainable development in Myanmar. To achieve this goal, life skills should be adapted in school projects. This study explores the learning culture of university level students, especially final year students from National Management Degree College, Tourism Department, their exposure to field trip study in doing research, capacity building, interacting with villagers at community - based tourism site. The study looks into faculty members and students’ joint study tour of Community-Based Tourism (CBT) site in Ma Gyi Kan Village in Magway Division. Data collection methods mainly focus on interviews and opinion survey to support qualitative research, whereas set questionnaires as an optional if available. Issues that were investigated include development obtained from CBT, job creation, income generation, exposure of cultural tourism, empowerment and participation, leadership skills, problems and hindrances that villagers encounter in CBT site, training needs, technology aids for agricultural and eco-tourism. This research aims at finding an appropriate strategy for students to equip with life-skills required in 21st century education, enhancing awareness in preserving environmental, social, and cultural values of diverse ethnicity and natural resources, empowering students to create projects to develop community -based cultural tourism for career development, job creation, income generation to sustain CBT as new economy. Through this sustainable tourism, every stakeholder is beneficial and taking shared responsibility to protect Myanmar society for sustainable development.