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IFT is one of the most prolific institutions of higher education in tourism and hospitality in Asia

The Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) is the pioneer of tourism and hospitality education in Macao. In the 22 years since IFT opened, it has earned respect at home and abroad for its innovation and influence.

Among the institutions of higher education in tourism and hospitality in the Asia-Pacific region, the publicly funded IFT is one of the most productive. Its graduates are greatly sought-after in Macao and beyond.

The excellence of an IFT education is recognised around the globe. Ours was the first institution in the world accredited by the World Tourism Organization UNWTO.TedQual Certification System, which certifies tourism education.

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DISTINCTIVE APPROACH

IFT offers degree programmes and vocational courses – an approach that stands out among other educators in tourism and hospitality education. We believe students benefit greatly from this approach, as it lets them tap a greater variety of educational resources and so obtain a well-rounded education.

– Offers bachelor’s degree programmes

– Programme duration 4 years

– Daytime and evening programmes available

– Daytime programmes taught in English, evening programmes in Chinese

– Programmes include 6-month internships

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– Offers vocational courses

– Course durations and levels of specialisation vary

– Daytime and evening courses available

– Courses taught in Chinese, English and other languages

– Courses specially designed for external organisations

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HOW IFT MEASURES UP

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PARTNERS ABROAD

The network of universities and tourism bodies that the IFT has links with reaches into 31 different parts of the world

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INTERNSHIP PROVIDERS

Strong links with hospitality enterprises around the world ensure that IFT offers its students highly desirable opportunities for internships

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SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE EACH YEAR

Firm support by industry and the community has allowed IFT to build 23 partnerships that award scholarships

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INTERNATIONAL QUALIFICATION PARTNERS

IFT has a broad range of courses leading to certificates or diplomas recognised internationally

AWARD-WINNING QUALITY

ONE OF THE TOP 2 SCHOOLS IN ASIA FOR HOSPITALITY AND LEISURE MANAGEMENT STUDIES

In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017, IFT is the second-ranked institution of higher education in Asia for hospitality and leisure management studies, and the 18th overall in the world

FIRST SCHOOL IN THE WORLD TO PASS THE QAA INTERNATIONAL QUALITY REVIEW

IFT was the first institution anywhere to pass the International Quality Review by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) in Britain

NUMBER 1 IN UNWTO.TEDQUAL CERTIFICATION

IFT has more bachelor’s degree programmes certified by the World Tourism Organization UNWTO.TedQual Certification System than any other institution in the world

FROM THE ROOTS

IFT traces its origins to the 1970s when the former Portuguese administration of Macao decided to establish a tourism school. The vocational training facility on Mong-Há Hill was inaugurated in 1982 and contained the Pousada de Mong-Há training hotel in a building that was originally destined to serve as a military mess.

The University of East Asia Polytechnic College began offering in 1986 the first programme in Hotel Management in Macao. In 1991, the college became the Macao Polytechnic Institute but continued to teach the programme.

The authorities decided in 1993 to establish a publicly funded institution of higher education to teach only subjects linked to tourism and IFT was inaugurated on 15 September 1995. The Institute absorbed the vocational training facility on Mong-Há Hill and took over the teaching of the programme in Hotel Management from the Macao Polytechnic Institute.

THE IFT VISION

At IFT, we believe in the importance of offering the highest-quality education and training in the field of tourism and hospitality to prepare people to excel. The Institute has established 10 goals. We strive for these objectives daily in delivering to students a modern curriculum and opportunities for hands-on learning in an environment that is dedicated to nurturing the talent sought out by our stakeholders.

WE STRIVE TO:

ACHIEVE TEACHING EXCELLENCE

We endeavour to attract and cultivate outstanding academics from around the world through excellence and innovation in the way we teach, and by the opportunities we offer for research and exchanging knowledge.

ENSURE STUDENT SATISFACTION

We are committed to giving students at all levels stimulating experiences that will nourish the seeds of leadership for the benefit of the tourism and hospitality industries.

INCREASE INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT

We work closely with businesses to meet the demand for highly skilled people that have the ability to further the development of the tourism and hospitality industries.

BROADEN INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE

We welcome people from around the world, and partnerships with institutions abroad, with a view to promoting cross-cultural understanding and to tapping diverse sources of knowledge.

PROVIDE SPECIALIST FACILITIES

We value hands-on education, giving students access to a training hotel, a training restaurant, demonstration rooms, laboratories and similar facilities that offer rewarding learning experiences.

SUPPORT ACADEMIC RESEARCH

We aspire to make our institution a destination for the acquisition and exchange of knowledge by academics, the tourism and hospitality industries, and society at large.

BE A GLOBAL EDUCATION HUB

We work with international bodies to offer special training programmes to professionals in Asia and the Portuguese-speaking world, so promoting the development of global tourism.

CONNECT WITH OUR COMMUNITY

We are closely connected with the community that our institution serves, and we aim to make positive contributions to sustainable economic, social and cultural development.

SUPPORT MACAO’S STRATEGIC POSITIONING

We support the World Centre for Tourism and Leisure policy for Macao and the official vision of making the city a base for tourism education and training to serve the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as set down by the Central People’s Government and the Macao SAR Government.

PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

We strive to take the lead in making our operations, our teaching and learning, our research and our engagement sustainable in every respect.

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