Prof. Y.Venkata Rao is holding MHRM (Master of Human Resource Management) and M.A. (Philosophy & Religious Studies) from Andhra University with Gold Medal distinction and also MBA (Marketing Management) from University of Madras with First Division. He has cleared UGC – NET in Industrial Relations and Labour Welfare, obtained Ph.D. Degree from Department of Business Administration, Tezpur University and also completed four months of Faculty Development Programme from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA).
Prof. Rao has 32 years of experience in academics at post graduation level in management education in two Central Universities (including Assam University, Silchar). He has teaching and research experience in sectoral specialized MBA Programmes like– Tourism Studies, International Business, General MBA and MHRM. He has been teaching Management Process and Organizational Behaviour, Human Resource in Tourism, International HRM, Tourism Entrepreneurship, International Marketing, Strategic Management and HRD. He was Chairman of Board of Studies of Tourism at PG and UG . He was also an expert Member of Board of Studies and Curriculum Development Committee to various Central and State Universities. He has completed six major research projects funded by UGC, ICSSR, IIPA, Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India & Govt. of Puducherry. Thirteen scholars were awarded Ph.D. degree under his guidance. He published 6 books and 36 research papers in reputed journals including top most high impact journal in the field of tourism – Annals of Tourism Research.
Prof. Rao also had academic administration exposure in different capacities – 1) Head of the in Department Tourism Studies -DTS (8 years), 2) Coordinator of UGC SAP -DRS-I&II (10 years), 3) Placement Officer at Assam University (3.5 years), 4) Coordinator of Collaborative Agreements (MoU) with one foreign university and two professional bodies [University of Rennes1, France (6 years), Confederation of Indian Industry – CII (4 years) and Bangladesh Research Foundation, Dhaka (3 years). Needless to mention that he has placed more than 400 students with cent percent placement record of each batch.

He was the Member of the Executive Council, Academic Council (EC & AC) & Court of Pondicherry. He is the Member of Euro Asia Tourism Studies Association and President of Indian Tourism & Hospitably Congress (Southern Region) and Member of Tourism Task force of Confederation of Indian Industry (Southern Region). He introduced an Annual Magazine–Yatra, Bi-annual Newsletter–PUTSAA, Registered Alumni Association – PUTSAA (raised alumni fund). Through his innovative and the best practices in delivery of MBA- Tourism Program by collaborating with Industry, he created a brand image for DTS across the industry and academia which further supported cent percent campus placement.
He has received awards for his contribution to Academica, such as – 1) ‘Best Teacher Award’ in 2016 by the Rotary Club – Hyderabad, 2) ‘Best Teacher’ recognition for the academic year 2021- 22 based on the students feedback, 3) ‘Tourism Education Award’ by the Policy Research Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh and, 4) National Responsible Geo Tourism Award’ by the Thanthai Rover Institute of Agriculture and Rural Development, Perambalur, Tamil Nadu.

HR in Tourism and Tourism Entrepreneurship