International environment, reputation, and industry network make Institute appealing for doctoral studies, say new PhD students
An internationalised study environment, abundant opportunities for attending academic conferences and for publishing in scholarly journals, as well as a top-notch reputation in tourism and hospitality education: these are all reasons why those in IFTM’s latest PhD student intake chose the Institute to start their new chapter in academic life and research.
Eight new entrants joined IFTM’s PhD programme in Hospitality and Tourism Management in January.
Ms. Rita Li Zhuojun, with a master’s degree in International Marketing from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in the United Kingdom, is among the new batch of students. IFTM “has an excellent reputation in the field of tourism and is now the best in Asia,” she states, explaining why she opted for the Institute over other universities worldwide for her doctoral studies.
IFTM ranks first in Macao and Asia, and 10th in the world, for Hospitality and Leisure Management studies, according to the latest edition of the annual QS World University Rankings by Subject.
IFTM’s global links, as well as in-depth exchanges with its partners within the tourism and hospitality industry and with other academic institutions, were other deciding factors for Ms. Li. “I also would like to be provided with various opportunities for attending academic conferences and seminars, as well as the opportunity to cooperate with other scholars,” she adds.
In the next few years, her research will focus on the role of cultural intellectual property (IP) in the development of rural tourism. She aims to explore how IP can enrich the products of a rural tourism destination and drive the local economy. “My research hopes to contribute to a deeper understanding of how cultural resources can empower sustainable tourism development to generate economic, social, and cultural value,” she remarks.
Mr. Season He Jianchen followed a similar rationale to that of Ms. Li for choosing IFTM for his PhD studies. He hopes to further advance his expertise, skills, and expand his contact network in the upcoming years, leveraging on the Institute’s international exposure. “It can offer me more opportunities for global exchanges and [to join] conferences in relation to my field,” he explains.
The strong academic and research backgrounds of the faculty members at IFTM also appealed to Mr. He, who has completed bachelor’s and master’s programmes in Tourism and Hotel Management at the Macau University of Science and Technology. “The support from supervisors is pivotal to students during the PhD programme,” he reasons.
With a PhD research focus on wellness tourism, Mr. He believes his work can provide new ideas for that sector in Mainland China and help its development there.
IFTM’s PhD programme in Hospitality and Tourism Management typically lasts for three years, and requires students to conduct meaningful and original research for their PhD thesis. Additionally, candidates must publish at least two papers related to their thesis topic in international academic journals during their study.
For her PhD studies at the Institute, Ms. Tracy Chen Tingting has chosen to focus on the relationship between social media and tourism consumption behaviour of senior citizens. The new doctoral student says her interest in this area stems from China’s ageing society and the increasing use of social media among the elderly.
“IFTM offers me an international learning environment in the city of Macao, a world tourism and leisure centre, where I can easily explore new insights related to my research field,” Ms. Chen says. She holds a master’s degree in Business Management from Hong Kong Baptist University.
“Also, I expect there will be more seminars or lectures that will broaden my views and inspire me with new insights,” she adds.
