City University of Macau Faculty of International Tourism and Management, School of Continuing Studies and Institute of Tourism and Gaming: Research Project Findings Report seminar

A research project findings was held months ago on the 4^th floor of City University of Macau, Golden Dragon Center campus located at Avenida Xian Xing Hai No. 81-121.  The 2012-2013 Research Project mid-year and year end findings meeting was jointly hosted by City University of Macau Faculty of International Tourism and Management (FITM), School of Continuing Studies (SCS) and Institute of Tourism and Gaming.  Over 20 renowned professors and scholars from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau were invited to participate and to share the research findings of the FITM, SCS and Institute of Tourism and Gaming. 

The meeting commenced as the project research team representative presented the project research report.  First to present the findings on the research, “Participation in Volunteer Work of Young People Working In Macau: A Stimulation System,” was City University of Macau School of Continuing Studies Program Coordinator Gao Yan.  Right after, on behalf of City University of Macau School of Continuing Studies, Zhang Lin Bo reported his findings on the research, “An Analysis on the Effective Learning in Volunteer Services of Young People in Macau and Strategy in Its Upgrade.”  Professor Li Xin presented his findings on, “Social Support, Perception and Effect on the Participation and Continual Participation in Volunteer Work of Macau College Students,” on behalf of the Faculty of International Tourism and Management. 

City University of Macau Vice Rector, Professor Aliana Leong, focused on the research results on, “Innovative Development Strategies and Protection System for Continuing Education in Macau: A Comprehensive Research” and “Dynamic Development and Innovative Strategies of the MICE Industry and Tourism & Gaming Industry in Macau: A Comprehensive Research.”

Professor Lee Sung Yi introduced his findings on, “Preferences, Learning Attitude and Characteristics of Experiential Learning of Working Adult Learners Towards Out-Of-Region Learning in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau: A Preliminary Study.”  City University of Macau Faculty of International Tourism and Management, Professor Li Xi presented his work on, “Effects on the Economic System Brought About by the MICE Industry in Macau: A Preliminary Study.”

After representatives of the project research team had  given their reports, experts and scholars in the audience gave  comments regarding the research projects.  Ministry of Education of China MBA Education Steering Committee Tourism Management Deputy Director, Professor Ma Yong, had the following perceptions  of the seven reports given by the City University of Macau Faculty of International Tourism and Management, School of Continuing Studies and Institute of Tourism and Gaming.  First, the research topics  are highly pragmatic and  would serve as valuable  reference for the long term strategic development of Macau.  Fundamental and applied researches of this nature are of utmost importance to scholarly and economic development.  Second, the research methodologies and processes  were highly standardized and scientific.  Due to the use of these methodologies and processes, the research findings  are  of high academic standards with prominent results.  Certain projects have reached new heights in its research.  For instance, the research project conducted by the School of Continuing Studies  was awarded “Best Paper” in international seminars.  Third, the teamwork amongst the City University of Macau Faculty of International Tourism and Management, School of Continuing Studies and Institute of Tourism and Gaming are outstanding and impressive.   Distinct breakthroughs and encouraging achievements in the tourism and continuing studies programs of City University of Macau  have taken place within two brief years.  Development and achievements in areas such as infrastructure, teaching, scientific research, social services, and others do not come easy.  Therefore, heartfelt congratulations are due to Vice Rector Professor Aliana Leong.

Hainan University College of Information Technology, Dean Du Wen Cai, pointed out that under the leadership of Professor Aliana Leong the  series of research are rife in information and data.   Dean Cai  commented that from the topics and results of these seven research projects, one could identify their uniqueness and characteristics.  The studies are innovative and reflect the needs of the socio-economic development of Macau.   The topics are  based on realistic and latent issues of Macau as well as of  the international landscape.    and are highly prospective.  The research projects have one thing in common – their research design.  The research design is precise, innovative, scientific and standardized.  Moreover, the structure of the research model is intact and precise, and  builds upon the foundation of previous researches.   Most corresponding researches in China are conducted based on research design of a qualitative nature and seldom  employ in-depth systematic quantitative approach.  Yet, the research team of Professor Leong used quantitative analytical research approach.  At the same time, in projects such as the dynamic development models and effects on the economic system in the MICE industry, youth and volunteer work,  the use of quantitative analytical models has made the corresponding researches prominent and outstanding.  He suggested using data models from science and engineering to process the data collected,   thereby, increasing the precision of the data analyses. He added that  it is beneficial to publish research findings in internationally renowned SSCI (Social Science Citation Information).  All corresponding researches are based on detailed first-hand data collection.  This reflects the serious work standards of the project team and the large amount of time infused in the projects.  Professor Du Wen Cai also suggested to append portions of the research report on the effective learning in volunteer services of young people to verify positive correlation on the learning effectiveness and the continual participation in volunteer services of young people.   The research  would increase its value in guiding the strategies of the corresponding volunteer services.

Fujian Normal University College of Tourism, Vice Dean Zheng Yao Xing concurred with the comments of Professor Ma Yong and Professor Du Wen Cai.  He assented to the immensity of the data collection and the scope of the research as well as the diversified research methodology.  The meetingis an “Academic Feast” and is an invaluable academic experience to the participants.  Overall, he has the following comments:  firstly, the research topics in the series closely evolved around the social development in local Macau and took into consideration the “hot” topics in international academic research.  For instance, how can the favorable development trend in the gaming industry be remodeled to enhance the dynamic development of corresponding industries (tourism, MICE, etc.)?  This type of research suggests  highly innovative ideology and social responsibilities of the research team.  Secondly, the research series on youth participation in volunteer services serve as a vanguard in the field.  Though research of the same nature is well-established and systematic overseas, this sort of research is still  extraordinary in China.  The research conducted by City University of Macau has already embodied the corresponding researches in China.  As a result, it  could become a crucial instructional guide in future research in this area.  Thirdly, the research series exemplify its innovation.  For instance, the topics conducted by the School of Continuing Studies (Preferences, Learning Attitude and Characteristics of Experiential Learning of Working Adult Learners Towards Out-Of-Region Learning in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau) are distinct and representational and can be described as a unique research perspective of City University of Macau and an “upstream” research in the field.  As for the research on the economic effects brought about by the MICE industry, it is a highly challenging and fundamental research and reflects the research team’s innovation and achievement.  Professor Zheng suggested that the team  conduct additional in-depth and systematic data excavation so that further outstanding academic achievement can flourish.  Lastly, Professor Zheng congratulates Vice Rector Aliana Leong on her exceptional achievements at City University of Macau  in these past two years.

South China University of Technology Faculty of Tourism Chair, Professor Wei Wei, indicated that he gained a lot every time he visits City University of Macau.   He specifically mentioned the degree of social recognition in continuing education in Macau. The strong industry support rendered to researches in tourism, MICE and gaming are all good indications of the credibility and practicality of the research findings as guidelines for the field.   The researches of the City University of Macau Faculty of International Tourism and Management, School of Continuing Studies and Institute of Tourism and Gaming jointly demonstrate their tremendous efforts in academic research and social services.  The researches have high academic value and he hopes the findings could be published as soon as possible so that professionals and academia in the field could see the astounding achievements of the research.

Guangzhou University College of Tourism Dean, Professor Xiao Xing said this was the third time he participated in seminars hosted by Macau in MICE, Tourism Education and Development, nonetheless, this was the first time he participated in a research findings report meeting.  Overall, he had the impression that under the guidance of Vice Rector Leong, the research team’s research achievements were of high academic value and standards.  The research proved to be a combination of theory and practice especially in its close evolvement around the economic and developmental need of the society of Macau.  This certainly is a valuable reference to other tertiary education institutes.  Apart from that, Professor Xiao Xing provided two suggestions,   first, the data analysis method and presentation of the research projects can be further diversified.  For example, apart from presenting the findings for the MICE and gaming industry of Macau and their dynamic development, the statistics for these data could be presented in intuitive charts.  Second, there are still lots of room for improvement in the academic standards in tourism and MICE programs in China.   It will be of crucial importance that City University of Macau could have more exchanges with colleges and universities in China to share the invaluable achievements and experiences in their researches reciprocally.

Vice Rector Aliana Leong sincerely thanked the comments and suggestions of Dean Xiao Xing and indicated that the research findings had been presented in international renowned seminars in Italy.  In the future, City University of Macau will strengthen collaborations and exchanges with colleges and universities in China.  Regarding the presentation of analytical data, the university will focus on first-hand data collection and analysis.  Subsequently, she will take into consideration the comments of Dean Xiao Xing in adapting a diversified approach in data presentation.

Lastly, Hainan University College of Tourism, Dean Wang Lin indicated the research findings meeting hosted by the City University of Macau Faculty of International Tourism and Management, School of Continuing Studies and Institute of Tourism and Gaming left a memorable impression on its participants.  With the financial support from the Macao Foundation, universities in Macao have attained high standards achievements in scientific-based research and have enlightened the research development in colleges and universities in China.  He sincerely hopes to have further collaborations between Hainan University and City University of Macau in academic and teaching exchanges.  Through these dynamic exchanges, the competitiveness in scientific research and achievements for both universities would be significantly improved.  Last of all, Dean Wang Lin suggested the use of linear and simultaneous equations in analyzing the data.  This will increase the intuitiveness of the research findings and will further enhance the meaning of the results.

Vice Rector Aliana Leong and the members of the research team  sincerely thanked the comments and suggestions from experts and scholars  and expressed their desire   to continue to contribute to the social and economic development of Macau by conducting local-based, high quality standardized research with an international academic perspective.