Protocol Signing Ceremony between The Chinese University of HK – Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (CUTW) Community College and IFT

The Chinese University of Hong Kong – Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (CUTW) Community College and the Institute For Tourism Studies (IFT) in Macau today announced an agreement whereby students of the Associate Degree in Hotel and Catering Management Programme of CUTW will be taking two courses at IFT’s state-of-the-art teaching facilities in Macao, in order to have a thorough understanding of the practicality and operation of the tourism and hotel industry there. Professor Richard Ho, the President of CUTW Community College, points out that due to geographical proximity, Hong Kong and Macao have all along been closely linked economically, especially in area of tourism; nevertheless, more frequent cultural and academic exchanges between the two cities still remain to be seen. This collaboration spells an auspicious start and enables students of CUTW to widen their horizon by experiencing the culture and dynamics of Macao, which are so different from those of Hong Kong. Professor Ho believes the world-class facilities of IFT will allow CUTW’s students to gain excellent practical experience before they enter the labour market. Dr. Fanny Vong, President of IFT, also considers the collaboration a good start for both institutes. As the courses of CUTW Community College will be conducted in IFT’s well-equipped training units, which are highly acclaimed and well-recognized, students of CUTW Community College and IFT will also be able to be acquainted with one another, exchange views and thus enhance their learning experience. In a longer term, IFT hopes to develop student exchange programmes so that students of IFT can also benefit from learning in a Hong Kong setting. IFT also hopes to strengthen the strategic alliance between Hong Kong and Macao in tourism industry, and look forward to having more collaboration with CUTW Community College in the area of academic research etc. “The School of Business Administration and Tourism Management of CUTW believes that should students be allowed to learn in a simulated working environment, they can learn in-depth professional knowledge and be well-equipped for their future careers.” said Prof. Anthony Ko, Director of School of Business Administration and Tourism Management of CUTW Community College. “In this regard, CUTW Community College and IFT decided to join forces to customize two unique courses so that students can get to know the real operation and have a feel on the industrial practice, especially in a tourism-based-economy city like Macao. We trust that such experience will be an asset for students in their future careers with professional knowledge gained on a solid ground.” According to the agreement signed today, CUTW Community College will have two courses from the Hotel and Catering Programme, i.e. Professional Food Preparation and Dining Room Management taught in IFT’s six Teaching Kitchens and the Educational Restaurant, which serves with a Macanese, Portuguese and International a la carte menu, a daily special as well as Buffet Dinner. Both CUTW Community College and IFT believe that such world-class facilities will bring students superb learning experience. The Institute For Tourism Studies (IFT) being the first WTO-Themis TedQual certified institution in tourism education, is a public institution of higher education, offering tourism and hospitality management education, as well as related professional training. The mission of IFT is to become a destination for tourism and hospitality studies with European characteristics. Not only for the benefits of Macao, but also for the Asia Pacific region, it will produce students with professional knowledge and technical competence in preparation for their future leadership responsibilities in the industry. CUTW Community College offers full-time and part-time Pre-Associate degree and Associate Degree programmes, aspires to provide high-quality tertiary education for students, both local and non-local, to prepare them for transfer to senior years of university education and for their future careers. As a junior university, CUTW Community College’s vision is to be widely recognized as one of the best international centres of tertiary education in Asia capable of helping its students grow to their full potential and preparing them adequately for change and challenges. Contact:
Public Relations Department of CUTW Community College, please call 3190-6617 Ken Lam or email to pakclam@cutw.edu.hk for enquiries. Public Relations of IFT, please call (853) 5983 182 or email to frida@ift.edu.mo for enquiries.