Research by IFT students resulting from the Institute’s new requirement for graduation theses has again received international attention. Two new graduates of the Heritage Management Bachelor Degree Programme recently presented research papers based on their graduation theses at international conferences.
Antonio Han presented the results of the research he put into his thesis at the 5th International Conference Youth in Conservation of Cultural Heritage, held in Madrid in September. About 360 people from 38 countries attended, according to the organisers.
Antonio investigated the usefulness of patents to protect Chinese traditional herbal medicines as intangible heritage. He concluded that patenting may be useful, but suggested that it be combined with other forms of protection in a comprehensive arrangement that would remain effective for a long period of time.
The international conference was the first Antonio had attended. He was the only Chinese researcher and the youngest of all attendees. He says his topic appeared to be a new one for his audience. “People asked me questions for about 30 minutes after my presentation,” he says. He was impressed by what he learned from the experience.
Festival of learning
Also in September, Melanie Ma presented the results of the research she put into her thesis at the Association for Tourism and Leisure Education and Research’s annual conference, held in the English city of Canterbury.
The thesis was about the extrinsic meanings of the Feast of God Tou Tei – as manifested in self-identity, sense of belonging, social cohesion and sense of community – for people living in the Bairro Horta da Mitra area of Macao, where the main festivities are held.
Melanie had never before taken part in an international conference. “I not only presented my research, but also got the chance to meet various qualified academics from around the world,” she says.
Antonio and Melanie both think the experience of writing a graduation thesis at IFT will be valuable in their future careers. Melanie is now studying for a master degree in Paris, and Antonio is thinking about further studies.
Since the 2015/16 academic year, most full-time IFT students in the fourth year of programmes leading to bachelor degrees have been required to write their own original theses if they wish to graduate. They develop their research proposals in their third year and then have a full semester in their fourth to finish their theses – some doing it in the first semester and others in the second.
A total of 10 IFT students and graduates have so far presented research papers based on their graduation theses at international conferences, and 3 have received awards for their papers.
