The tourism and hospitality industry is one of the fastest growing sectors worldwide, offering exciting opportunities to its professionals. Macao University of Tourism (UTM) is recognised as one of the top providers in the Asia-Pacific region of higher education in this field.
UTM is a dynamic and innovative public institution. Its programmes offer outstanding educational experiences, and equip graduates with the skills they need in order to have a positive impact on the sector.
UTM believes that the development of tourism depends on a well-educated workforce and high-quality leadership. As an advocate of community engagement, UTM takes pride in producing graduates that not only excel professionally but also work for the greater good of society.
The quality of the education UTM provides is recognised around the globe: Since the launch of QS World University Rankings for the subject area of Hospitality and Leisure Management in 2017, UTM has been highly ranked in the world and throughout Asia.
UTM was the first institution in the world to be accredited by the UNWTO. TedQual Certification System for tourism education – a standard promoted by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Currently, UTM has the most bachelor degree programmes certified under that system of any tertiary education establishment in the world.
UTM was also the world’s first higher education institution to receive – in 2017 – a successful International Quality Review from the United Kingdom’s Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Research is a critical feature of UTM. The university is aware of its responsibilities in this area and its management team is devoted to creating an environment where students and faculty members jointly can conduct productive research.
As a leading educational institution, UTM works closely with key academic and tourism industry professional bodies and associations, including UNWTO, UNESCO and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).
UTM collaborates with several institutions, helping to strengthen its position as a training and education hub for Asia. One example is the UTM Global Centre for Tourism Education and Training, set up in 2016 following a memorandum of understanding signed between the Macao SAR Government and UNWTO. The Centre provides – in cooperation with UNWTO – training programmes to tourism officials from countries with developing economies.
UTM is also a prominent provider of internationally-recognised vocational and occupational training. It continues to strengthen its offering in this area, in a bid to support the varied needs of the tourism and hospitality industry.
UTM aims to play a role in China’s “Greater Bay Area” initiative, which encompasses Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. One of its goals is to develop the demarcated Greater Bay Area as a place of international excellence for education, including the positioning of Macao as a base for tourism education and training.
It is our duty as UTM’s management to maintain the momentum of such developments, thus contributing to the promotion of Macao as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure, as envisaged by the Macao SAR Government and the Central Government of the People’s Republic of China. Following the 2017 revision of Macao’s Higher Education Law, we have started preparatory work to establish postgraduate programmes at UTM in order to broaden the university’s educational offering.
Through UTM’s commitment to excellence in education, research, and pursuit of social responsibility, UTM aims to help shape the future of the tourism and hospitality industry in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
Dr. Fanny Vong
Rector