Degrees offered in English Main Headline

Parents of Mainland students praise IFT environment, hands-on learning

中文摘要 / Summary in Chinese

A group of more than 50 parents drawn from the families of Year 1 IFT students from Mainland China toured the Institute’s facilities on 21 August. They were impressed by the teaching and learning environment at IFT, and by the Institute’s focus regarding hands-on experience.

One of the parents, Ms. Hong Fang, has a daughter just starting IFT studies. She has enrolled on the programme leading to a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Business Management.

“The education systems in Macao and Hong Kong lean towards Western-style systems, but the cultural background is closer to that of Mainland China. This means our children can adapt to life here more easily,” says Ms. Hong, who attended the parents’ tour of IFT.

She also highlights that IFT undergraduates are required to undergo a 6-month internship in the 3rd year of their studies. Ms. Hong says such experience can help strengthen her daughter’s education and make her more competitive when entering the labour market.

“The education provided by IFT, which includes an internship, allows its graduates to be more competitive… My daughter likes this style of education more,” she says.

Ms. Lin Jing’s daughter is also a new student at IFT: she is a Year 1 undergraduate in the Bachelor of Science in Tourism Event Management Programme.

“I saw on the information brochure that IFT seeks to provide students with skills that can assist them in their future career. This is very attractive to me because this approach is very pragmatic,” Ms. Lin says.

She additionally highlights that English is the medium of education for all daytime bachelor degree programmes at the Institute, which she says can help her daughter improve her English-language skills.

Mr. Xie Nan also joined the parents’ tour of the IFT facilities. His daughter has enrolled on the Bachelor of Science in Tourism Retail and Marketing Management Programme.

“Education at IFT also focuses on practice and training,” Mr. Xie says. “This, I believe, helps graduates better integrate in society.”

Mr. Xie says a bachelor degree in a field related to tourism means good employment prospects. It can unlock several potential career paths, from hotel to catering to branding, he adds.

The parents’ tour of IFT included a visit to the Institute’s Main Campus, with lunch at the Windows Cafeteria – the Institute’s staff and student canteen. Parents also toured the IFT Taipa Campus, including the student accommodation facilities.

IFT is welcoming a total of 427 new students in academic year 2017/18, representing an aggregate of 7 different countries or regions: Mainland China, the Macao SAR, the Hong Kong SAR, the Republic of the Fiji Islands, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and Vietnam.