Faculty of International Tourism and Management: Top-notch discipline cultivates multi-facet talents
In line with the mission of “promoting innovative teaching and scientific research, cultivating high-quality tourism talents, and fostering social harmony and prosperity,” the Faculty of International Tourism and Management (FITM) of the City University of Macau (CityU) is committed to being a leading international provider of tourism education in Macao and the Asia-Pacific region with distinctive features of industry-academia collaboration. FITM has a team of credible academics with diverse and international teaching backgrounds to drive interdisciplinary innovation.
World-class discipline accredited by international institution
CityU is a leading provider of hospitality and tourism management education at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree levels. Its hospitality and tourism management discipline ranked among the top 20% of universities worldwide in 51-75 places in ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022 for three consecutive years since 2020. In addition, its tourism management discipline has been accredited with TedQual certification by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) at all degree levels. FITM offers quality programs in line with the local economic development to nurture multi-facet talents. It currently offers four degree programs:
- Bachelor of International Tourism and Hotel Management program nurtures professionals in the tourism and hospitality industry to enhance professionalism, service quality, and competitiveness. Students can enroll in elective courses and learn disciplinary courses, such as hotel management, leisure and spa management, food and beverage management, MICE management, gaming and club management, or intelligent tourism management, to acquire multiple skills to enhance competitiveness and employment.
- Master of International Hospitality and Tourism Management program prepares managerial professionals with advanced analytic and management expertise. The program invites renowned experts and international tourism professors to lecture on tourism-related subjects. It also offers internship opportunities in the local and overseas tourism industry, allowing students to gain an in-depth understanding of international industry management practices.
- Master of International Hotel Management program is designed for hotel management and students who aspire to start a career in the field. Aside from classroom activities, this program offers a practicum to enhance the hands-on experience. Through project or oral defense, FITM aims to prepare interdisciplinary professionals with tourism-related knowledge who can thrive in hotel operation and management.
- Doctor of Philosophy in International Tourism Management program maximizes the advantages of Macao’s positioning of being the World Centre of Tourism and Leisure, its well-knit curriculum design, and global engagements to expose students to frontier findings in tourism and allow them to interact with industrial elites. Through hands-on experience and classroom studies, FITM will nurture a new generation of research professionals with international perspectives and innovative mindsets.
[foogallery id="49440"]
Team up with industries and trade to offer internship
Macao’s positioning of being the World Centre of Tourism and Leisure has flourished a thriving MICE industry which provides ample internship and practicum opportunities for four-years undergraduates. The Faculty provides students with short-term and long-term internship programs in Macao and overseas to help them gain insights into the industry. It also encourages students to volunteer in event organizations and festive celebrations. FITM also provides one-month/two-month summer internship opportunities in collaboration with hotel partners, event companies, retail industries, and thematic parks, such as Garden Hotel Guangzhou and Shanghai Disneyland.
FITM has teamed up with business and hotels to provide ample exchange and academic collaboration opportunities. These partner institutions include Sands China, Wynn Macau, Sheraton, St. Regis Macao, Crowne Plaza Macau, Galaxy Entertainment Group, MGM Macau, DFS and Heinemann Duty-Free, Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau, APlus International Limited, Angsana Zhuhai Phoenix Bay, Shanghai Disney, Zhuhai Hi City, JD Logistics, Guangzhou Garden Hotel, Accor Group, and Hengqin Sumlodol Camping Park. Students can obtain hands-on experience in international businesses, such as Jardine Aviation Services Group, W Taipei, Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, and Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa.
During the six-month internship program at Walt Disney World Resort, students will attend ten courses to learn more about catering, sales, and management and gain practical experience in park operations. By participating in the Talent Development Program organized by the Sheraton and St. Regis Macao, students will have the opportunity to take on internship positions at different departments to gain practical experience. After the program, students will have the opportunity to be employed. The IHG Academy, organized by the InterContinental Hotels Group plc, aims to nurture hospitality professionals for the sustainable development of the hotel industry. Senior management will share their practical experience and the latest industry information. Internship opportunities will be given during their studies.
[foogallery id="49443"]
Global exchanges broaden horizon
UNWTO accreditation provides opportunities for faculty and students to achieve self-development. As a partner of the UNWTO network, FITM develops academic and industry exchanges worldwide, providing students with an international perspective and learning platform. Other partner institutions include MODUL University Vienna, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, Groupe ESC Troyes En Champagne, and higher education institutions in China, namely, Sun Yat-sen University, South China University of Technology, South China University of Technology, Hunan Normal University, Guizhou University of Nationalities, China Academy of Fine Arts, Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, East China Normal University.
FITM invites international academics, experts, and industry elites to host lectures and share cutting-edge information with the students. Since the start of the academic year, FITM has organized various activities, including academic lectures, doctoral salons, seminars, and internship briefings to help students enhance their disciplinary knowledge and competitiveness. In April, to strengthen the cooperation of tourism management professionals, the Faculty organized the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism, which was attended by nearly 100 scholars from Greater Bay Area, mainland, and overseas. The 11th International Conference on Tourism and Hospitality between China and Spain held in November also attracted nearly 200 guests and scholars from Spain, France, Portugal, Malaysia, Mainland China, and Macao.
[foogallery id="49448"]
Thrive with competitions
In September, FITM students won the second prize and Best PowerPoint Design Award at the Macao Tertiary Institution Students Conference Challenge 2021/2022 and represented the city at the Asia final. In October, students won the national championship at the “Take Off! Accor Student Challenge 2022” and represented the Greater China region in the final 16 for the top five worldwide. In the same month, students won first prize, second prize, and third prize at the Zhejiang Provincial Events Planning and Creativity Competition 2022; a student also won a gold medal (Senior Solo National and Folklore) in the Dance World Cup Asia 2022 – Macao Qualifying Match and the university also received the best dancing school mention.
Besides, FITM and Zhuhai Agriculture Control Aqua Pasture Co. Ltd. organized a tourism research and planning competition to explore tourism resources and development of the Wanshan Archipelago in Zhuhai. Over ten student teams won prizes for their outstanding projects.
[foogallery id="49451"]
Professional training to enhance competitiveness
FITM has introduced various accredited training programs to enhance student employability and competitiveness. These vocational programs and qualifications, such as the one offered by the Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLEI) with certifications (Certified Hospitality Department Trainer, Certified Guest Service Professional, Certified Hospitality Supervisor, Event Management and Services, and Earnings Management) and the IHG Academy (services, hotel etiquette, behavior norms, and service skills) by the InterContinental Hotels Group plc, not only help students enhance their professionalism and broaden their career prospects but also help them achieve interdisciplinary development.
[foogallery id="49456"]
Go forward, Faculty of International Tourism and Management will continue enhance education quality with disciplinary advantages and industry-academia collaboration to nurture high-caliber professionals to serve Macao the Greater Bay Area, and the nation FITM will help you broaden horizons and enhance competitiveness. Welcome to FTIM, let your dreams take flight!
