Main Headline Postgraduate Studies

A Warm Welcome for New PhD Students at IFTM!

中文摘要 / Summary in Chinese

IFTM is delighted to welcome three new PhD students onboard by offering a welcoming event on 15 February, 2023. The new students bring with them a variety of backgrounds, expertise, and interests. This diverse range of perspectives and ideas promises to add to IFTM’s research and development progress.

Ms. Gao Hanyang, who completed her Bachelor’s degree in IFTM and Master’s degree at the University of Sydney, has chosen IFTM again to go for the PhD programme. She thinks good equipment in the Institute is essential for its students in doing research. The pleasant atmosphere at the Institute is also the main reason for her in making the choice. ‘IFTM is known for its innovative educational stance of integrating theory and practice. Students always can gain hands-on experience through different projects and events,’ she added. By pursuing a doctoral degree, it does not only advance her career but also help her achieve and develop valuable skills and knowledge.

‘It is the positive contributions, growth and enhancement in hospitality and tourism research and education that count. Pursuing the doctoral degree does not only help me further deliver engaging and practical pieces of information, but it will also help to progress my professional career, taking to a big step in my professional development too,’ Ms. Gao concluded.

‘IFTM has been ranked 1st in Macao, 3rd in Asia and 23rd in the world for hospitality and leisure higher education, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022. It rated the Institute as one of the best higher education institutions worldwide in hospitality and leisure management,’ said Ms. Su Mengzhen, another student who enrolled in the PhD programme. Ms. Su is a teacher in the Department of Public Education at the Hospitality Institute of Sanya. Ms. Su commented that IFTM has good connections with many international institutes, entities and the industry, which enriches her professional knowledge in the specific field. Upon completing her doctoral degree studies, she believes she can achieve an all-around development by combining theory and practice and apply in her educational career.

Ms. Cheryl Mao Danlei, currently working at Zhejiang University City College – International School of Cultural Tourism, decided to pursue her doctoral degree after her postgraduate studies in Contemporary Curation. ‘IFTM is a professional school in hotel management and tourism management, with leading academic and practical significance in the industry. And in terms of study and experience, I studied at Zhejiang University City College as an undergraduate majoring in tourism management. My major cooperated with IFTM as an exchange student project, and my classmate participated in this item, which increased my familiarity with the IFTM.  Meanwhile, I think different areas have distinctive teaching styles and educational philosophies. I want to gain more experience in life to enrich myself,’ she says.

As Cheryl is now an executive secretary at the International School of Cultural Tourism, she believes that the doctoral programme can assist in her work plan development while bringing the best out of her. ‘Gaining more cutting-edge knowledge in hospitality and tourism field absolutely equip me with soft skills like flexibility, creativity and communication skills. In addition to the flexible course designs and dual-supervisor system, the availability of course resources online and offline led to her decision to take the PhD programme in IFTM.