Macao Institute for Tourism Studies 2020/2021 Student Orientation Ceremony and National Flag Raising Ceremony were held on 4 September. To comply with the anti-epidemic measures, the Student Orientation Ceremony was held online. President of IFTM, Dr. Fanny Vong presented her warmest welcome to more than 450 new comers during the ceremony. President Vong encouraged the students to take responsibility for their studies, and make the most of the opportunities for self-enhancement and better equip themselves in order to embrace new challenges and opportunities, and get ready to serve their parents, Macao and the motherland in the future.
IFTM also held the National Flag Raising Ceremony on campus to strengthen the sense of national identity and belonging and foster the patriotism of students and staff. The flag raising video was played during the Orientation.
President Vong mentioned this new academic year differs in many ways from previous ones. COVID-19 has changed the way teaching and study is conducted at higher education institutions. At IFTM, we have adopted a positive outlook in tackling the challenges of a world with COVID-19. Early in the pandemic, our team was swift in taking action, with most teaching and study moved online. The Institute’s annual “Tourism Education Student Summit” (TEd Summit) became an online-only event, delivered via videoconferencing for sharing and discussing. Others include webinars, summer exchange activities and welcoming activities were also arranged via online schemes. That allowed students to continue their educational journey, while ensuring everyone’s safety. In the new academic year, IFTM will continue to pay close attention to the pandemic development and adjust the arrangement of teaching and learning whenever necessary, to allow students to concentrate on learning in a safe environment.
President Vong gladly informed students that this year is the 25th anniversary of IFTM. It represents a new milestone of the Institute in terms of development. The IFTM Council – a new body that held its first meeting in May and which brings together different stakeholders – will play a key role in helping the Institute to plan for the future. She hoped the new students to shoulder with other IFTM students, alumni and the Institute to build a better future together.
The Orientation followed by an alumni sharing, in which two outstanding alumnae Ms. Joyce Wong, Director of Training - Learning Academy at Melco Resorts and Entertainment, and Ms. Debby Cheang, Assistant Director of Human Resources, JW Marriott Hotel Macau & The Ritz-Carlton, Macau, to share how their properties and the hospitality industry handle the crisis during the pandemic. That will help students to gain latest update of the industry.