The public Macao University of Tourism (UTM), the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) and the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) jointly held a certificate presentation ceremony yesterday for trainees who completed the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute’s (AHLEI) international certification courses, for 175 training places across five course areas and two additional industry classes.
The ceremony took place on UTM’s Mong-Ha campus, recognising participants who completed the courses and passed the assessments. Graduates received certificates jointly signed by the three organisers, as well as internationally recognised qualifications issued by AHLEI.
According to a statement by the public university yesterday, the five course areas covered housekeeping operations management, managing front office operations, supervision and management in the hospitality industry, marketing for the hospitality industry, and food and beverage management. Two additional classes in housekeeping operations management and hospitality supervision and management were introduced in response to demand from industry practitioners, the statement noted.
Addressing the ceremony, UTM Rector Fanny Vong Chuk Kwan said in a speech that the programme marked further alignment between Macau’s tourism talent development and international professional standards. She said that the university would continue integrating tourism education, professional training and international certification, while combining teaching and research resources to provide a high-level training and assessment platform.
Vong noted that UTM organised more than 60 international certification courses and assessments during the 2025/26 academic year, with over 1,000 participations, adding that international qualifications could help trainees strengthen their professional skills and broaden their career prospects, while improving the competitiveness of Macau’s tourism and hospitality workforce.
DSAL Director Chan Un Tong said in a speech that his bureau would continue to work with higher education institutions and enterprises to provide more high-quality, internationally recognised training and certification programmes in line with the government’s “1+4” diversified economic development strategy.
Meanwhile, MGTO Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong said in a speech that the courses aimed to strengthen practitioners’ professional knowledge, improve service standards and align local practices with international standards, supporting the development of new “Tourism+” offerings.
The statement said that it would continue collaborating with the two government entities to develop more diverse and high-quality international certification courses, supporting the development of Macau as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure and the advancement of local industry talent.
Macao Tourism University (UTM) Rector Fanny Vong Chuk Kwan (top) and Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong address the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute’s (AHLEI) international certification awards ceremony on UTM’s Mong-Ha campus yesterday. – Photos: Khalel Vallo
