![](https://www.gov.mo/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/08/2_IFT0220082015.jpg)
IFT 2015/16 Degree Programme Student Orientation Ceremony was held on 20 August with the presence of IFT academic team, degree programme freshmen and exchange students. President of IFT, Dr. Fanny Vong presented her warmest welcome to the new comers during the ceremony. Dr. Vong expressed that the 374 new students should be well equipped in these 4 years of study and be ready for the tourism development of Macao and opportunities in the years ahead. As highlighted by Dr. Vong, the year 2015 is a milestone for the Institute as we are celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Looking back when IFT was established in 1995, it had only around 100 undergraduate students. Two decades since then, IFT has made significant progress and achievements in various areas, increasing student intake, enhancing quality and variety of programmes and courses, as well as pursuing excellence in teaching and research. Now IFT is an internationally recognised institution and the number of our degree programme students has increased by more than 13 times to around 1,600. Until now, over 6,000 degree and higher diploma students graduated, while an average of 20,000 people participated in its professional training courses every year. In order to cope with whole-person development education model, IFT has a balanced curriculum of both theories and practices. It emphasises on student quality nurturing and always supports students to organise real projects, among which some are charitable events. Through learning by action, students not only can help the needy and the community, but also put theory into practice. The experience of learning to work with people from different walks of life and cultures sharpens their interpersonal skill. Besides, IFT encourages students to participate in extra-curricular activities so that their 4-year university life could further flourish. Dr. Vong also hoped that students could develop vital professional abilities, including teamwork spirit, organisational skill, time management skill, communication skill, as well as positive attitude that can help overcome challenges and develop them into knowledgeable, competent and hirable elites. Freshmen on the day went through a competitive and rigorous admission examination and interview processes before selected by the Institute. Being one of the public tertiary institutes in Macao, IFT will continue to cultivate tourism professionals and offer more dynamic courses to cope with the development of Macao. During the ceremony, the Institute also presented Institute Scholarship, Dean’s List awards and Extra-curricular Activity awards to its students.
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