IFT offers degree programmes and professional training courses – an approach that stands out compared to other institutions working in the field of tourism and hospitality education. The Institute’s management believes students benefit greatly from IFT’s unique system, as it lets them tap a greater variety of educational resources than might otherwise be available, and helps them obtain a well-rounded education.
IFT’s Tourism College has the greatest choice, among educational institutions in Macao, of programmes that lead to bachelor degrees in either tourism or hospitality. IFT’s offer includes 3 programmes delivered via evening classes
Thanks to keen support from industry and the community, the Institute has 25 partners for the award of scholarships
The number of students studying for a bachelor degree at IFT has increased steadily over the past 3 years, reaching the figure above – an all-time high – in 2018/19
IFT’s Tourism and Hotel School offers hundreds of occupational training courses, from foundation level to advanced level
IFT’s strong links with tourism and hospitality enterprises around the world ensure the internship opportunities offered to bachelor-degree students are of high quality
The Institute has campuses respectively on Macao Peninsula and on Taipa, each providing an inspirational, technology-rich and flexible environment for the process of learning
A DISTINCTIVE APPROACH
The Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) is the pioneer of tourism and hospitality education in Macao. Since IFT opened in 1995, it has earned respect at home and abroad for its innovation and influence.
The Institute is one of the most prolific institutions of higher education in the field of tourism and hospitality in the Asia-Pacific region. It produces graduates that are among the most sought-after in Macao and beyond.
IFT brings together more than 1,600 undergraduates and almost 120 teaching staff from around the world in one thriving education hub. From the beginning, we pioneered – and have continued to pioneer – new, creative teaching strategies, with a special focus on project-based learning. We make use of the sturdy partnerships we have formed with companies in the tourism and hospitality industries around the globe, so that our students can leverage these ties, forged through internships and work placements, to get ahead in their careers.
We are a top provider of professional training programmes in tourism and hospitality through the Institute’s Tourism and Hotel School. We design our courses in close collaboration with industry, and many of our programmes are accredited by top entities abroad, leading to certificates and diplomas recognised globally by the tourism and hospitality industries.
IFT concentrates on doing quality research, and is the foremost source of knowledge about tourism and hospitality in Macao. We do research that is relevant to academia and the Macao SAR Government, and that is useful for the development of tourism at home and abroad.
Recognised quality
The quality of education at IFT and the Institute’s contributions to the community are recognised by the many awards given by governmental bodies, the tourism and hospitality industry and by the public at large. Its work has gained several certifications and accolades, highlighting IFT’s continuing commitment to educational excellence.
Cementing a position as one of Asia’s best for hospitality and tourism studies
IFT is consistently rated as one of the top higher education institutions for tourism and hospitality studies in Asia. In 2019, it featured in 2 reputable rankings – respectively the “ShanghaiRanking Consultancy Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2019” and the “QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019” – as 5th-best in Asia for hospitality and tourism management studies.
In those rankings IFT also had the highest placing for any Macao institution of higher education with regard to hospitality and tourism management studies. In both lists the Institute was ranked 3rd in that field for the whole of Greater China.
The Institute was ranked 30th in the world for hospitality and tourism management studies, as assessed by the “ShanghaiRanking Consultancy Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2019”. The “QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019” put IFT at number 33 worldwide.
OUR MISSION
The mission of IFT is to become an international tertiary institution of choice for tourism and service industry studies. Not only for the benefits of Macao, but also for the Asia-Pacific region, it will equip students with professional knowledge and technical competence in preparation for their future leadership responsibilities in the industry.
The number of IFT bachelor degree programmes that are recognised by the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria in Portugal, and thus are accepted all over the European Union. This makes it easier for IFT graduates to pursue postgraduate studies in Europe or obtain employment there.
LEARNING BY DOING
At IFT, students gain hands-on experience via tourism facilities that are open to the paying general public as well as being educational venues. They are designed to provide a rich training environment and a chance for students to interact with paying clients.
“Pousada” is the Portuguese word for an inn where travellers can rest before continuing a journey. IFT’s Educational Hotel, Pousada de Mong-Há, serves travellers from around the world, and gives IFT students the chance to hone their language and communication skills. They gain professional confidence and acquire real-life work experience under the supervision of seasoned instructors.
The boutique hotel – ranked among Macao’s best accommodation by several international guides – has been closed to outside guests since January 2018, for a major refurbishment. It is expected work will be completed in the second quarter of 2020, with the renovated Pousada poised to offer patrons a brand-new look, mixing tradition with modernity.
IFT management is also working on a new educational hotel, to be located on the Taipa Campus. The project – which will offer students fresh training opportunities – is in the design stage.
The Institute’s Educational Restaurant provides a practical study environment for students. Students are coached and supervised by the restaurant’s team of instructors, and get the chance to acquire valuable practical experience of food and beverage operations.
The menu offers a selection of Macanese and Portuguese dishes, made with a modern touch. The quality of food and service at the IFT Educational Restaurant is recognised by the prestigious Michelin Guide, being one of a handful of Macao eateries accorded Bib Gourmand status. The guide’s inspectors give the Bib Gourmand tag in Macao to establishments that offer a high-quality 3-course meal for MOP400 or under, according to the 2019 version of the Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau.
The restaurant supports organic farming and the Slow Food movement. The venue also hosts special events promoting culinary products and cuisine from around the world.
Our 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.
OUR VISION
We at IFT believe in the importance of giving high-quality education and training in the field of tourism and hospitality, to prepare people to excel in the global marketplace. We aim to do so by reaching 10 goals:
Teaching Excellence
We strive to attract and nurture outstanding academics from around the world through excellence and innovation in teaching and learning, research and knowledge exchange.
Student Satisfaction
We are committed to giving students at all levels stimulating and outstanding experiences that can cultivate future leaders of the tourism and hospitality industries.
Industry Engagement
We work closely and proactively with business to meet the need for highly skilled people able to foster development of the tourism and hospitality industries.
International Exposure
We welcome people from around the world and partnerships with institutions abroad, so promoting cross-cultural understanding and diversity of knowledge.
Specialist Facilities
We value rich, hands-on learning experiences, giving students access to demonstration classrooms, training facilities and other education venues.
Research and Impact
We aspire to be a place for the acquisition and exchange of knowledge by academia, the tourism and hospitality industries, and society at large.
Global Education Hub
We work with entities abroad to offer special courses to people from Asia, Portuguese-speaking countries and elsewhere, promoting the development of global tourism.
Community Involvement
We are closely connected to our community, aiming to make positive contributions to developing it economically, socially and culturally in a sustainable manner.
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.
Sustainability Leadership
We strive to take the lead in making our operations, our teaching and learning, our research and our engagement sustainable in every respect.