The Organisers
University of Évora
The University of Évora was founded in 1559 and for two centuries it distinguished itself for its role in the education of the elites and the missionaries of the kingdom. Restored as a public University in 1973, it is aimed at meeting the new requirements of society. It is particularly devoted to the education of human resources who want to achieve a higher position by merit and good service to the community. The University of Évora has established itself through the high quality of its teaching, associated with perennial values such as mutual respect, desire for knowledge, intellectual honesty and freedom of thought.
Currently, we are a modern University, with quality Research Centres, evaluated by the international panels of the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), with highly qualified teachers, integrating international networks and mobility programs that provide its students and professors with opportunities to contact other countries. The University is recognized internationally, being regularly evaluated by the European University Association (EUA). It has also been accepted as a member of the Magna Charta Universitatum.
Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao
Established in 1995, the Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao (IFT) offers the most extensive selection of tourism and hospitality related bachelor degree programmes in Macao, and about twenty thousand participants attend its vocational and professional training courses annually. IFT collaborates with 104 universities and tourism organisations around the world, and builds strong links with 500 leading tourism and hospitality corporations to offer internship opportunities to its students.
Being the first institution accredited by the UNWTO.TedQual Certification System for tourism education, IFT has now 8 bachelor degree programmes with the Certification. Currently, the Institute has the most number of bachelor degree programmes certified under the System of any tertiary education establishment worldwide. In 2017, IFT became the world’s first higher education institution to pass International Quality Review(IQR) from the UK's Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA). IFT has been highly ranked by QS World University Rankings in the subject area of Hospitality and Leisure Management. In addition, IFT has received the Medal of Merit in Tourism from the Macao SAR Government, and twice won the Gold Award in ‘Education and Training’ from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).