The Macau Institute for Tourism Studies (IFTM) hosted its open day at the Forward Building of its Taipa campus yesterday afternoon, with a live broadcast of the event online.
The event was attended by members of the public, parents and students, with the event enabling attendees to learn about the institute’s admission information, campus facilities, and participate in guided tours with student ambassadors.
Several programme and admission information booths were also set up for student enquiries about the institute’s degree programmes. Moreover, a number of workshops were also set up with themes such as tea making and eco-friendly handicrafts, as well as live demonstrations, game booths, and food stands
.
Introducing a new programme
Speaking with reporters after the event’s opening ceremony, IFTM President Fanny Vong Chuk Kwan said she hoped that the institute’s new programme “Smart Technologies in Hospitality and Tourism” (旅遊及酒店智慧科技) can be ready for the next academic year.
Available as a postgraduate degree programme as well as a master’s programme, Vong mentioned its establishment after witnessing the connection between tourism development and technology, adding that the institute believes that more training and development is needed for this industry.
When asked about the plans for the next academic year’s student admission, Vong said that IFTM will increase the number of students who want to enrol and estimates a 16 percent increase in the number of students applying for the postgraduate and master’s programmes compared to the previous year.
Meanwhile, The Macau Post Daily asked about scholarship opportunities at the institute, with Vong saying that “scholarships are always available for local students and students from mainland China”.
When The Macau Post Daily also asked about scholarships for overseas students, Vong said that the institute wants to admit more students from foreign countries, but is unable to ahead due to Macau’s entry policies currently in place. Vong added that IFTM will provide support to its students as long as they achieve or meet certain criteria, citing examples such as academic achievements, its study abroad programme and internship recognition.
Foreign nationals have been barred from entering Macau since March 2020.
Optimism for post-pandemic future
When asked about the effects of the pandemic on student’s choice to study at IFTM, Vong told reporters that the pandemic has caused “a short-term impact on the consideration of students”, noting the “contraction in the tourism industry” and “slashing of jobs”.
However, Vong was quick to add that the situation must be viewed in the long-term, saying that despite the pandemic having lasted two years, “we are optimistic that one day, mankind is going to find a solution to overcome this challenge.”
Vong also said that during times of crises, the tourism industry is negatively affected, but added that the industry tends to rebound “very quickly”. Vong said that she thinks that once the pandemic ends, the industry is going to come back better, bringing with it “a lot of job opportunities around for students to choose”.
Vong also remarked that IFTM has an optimistic outlook for the tourism industry, noting that Macau’s tourism infrastructure “is here to stay”. With all the infrastructure in place, it means that there are people to service, people to provide services and people to maintain all those facilities, she said.
Macau Institute for Tourism Studies President Fanny Vong Chuk Kwan speaks with reporters after the opening ceremony of IFTM’s open day yesterday afternoon at the Forward Building on the tertiary education institution’s Taipa Campus. Photos: Rui Pastorin
Visitors explore the various booths available during IFTM’s open day yesterday afternoon at the Forward Building.
