Most programmes at Macao University of Tourism (UTM) are taught in English and focus on tourism, MICE, and events. Through hands-on coursework, overseas exchanges, local internships and other diversified training models, the university builds a bridge between students and the industry, helping them move towards success.
Overseas Internships Hone Cross-Cultural Communication Skills
Paulina Pereira Che, a UTM alumna with over 20 years of industry experience, is a seasoned professional deeply rooted in MICE and events. She recalls that during her university years, the university arranged an internship in Malaysia. Working and living independently in a completely new cultural environment not only broadened her international perspective but also strengthened her determination to build a career in the events industry. This overseas experience cultivated her independence and cross-cultural communication skills, which later became a solid foundation for liaising with international clients and coordinating cross-border projects.
After graduation, Paulina started from entry-level positions, gained experience in the hotel industry, and then transitioned to the MICE sector. She worked in training and conference planning, gradually rising from Assistant Manager to her current position as Vice President of Conference and Exhibition Planning at Sands China. Through years of practice, she deeply appreciates that UTM’s English teaching environment and practice-oriented curriculum are highly beneficial to career development.
Paulina has also witnessed her alma mater’s growth, from its renaming as Macao University of Tourism to its continuously rising international subject rankings. These achievements fully demonstrate the university’s excellence and international influence in tourism education. Her confidence in the university’s educational philosophy is so strong that she has also enrolled her son at UTM.
Abundant MICE and Event Resources
Jacky Zheng Jiajie, a graduate of the Tourism and Event Management programme from Guangzhou, chose to stay in Macao for further development after graduating in 2022. He now works as a Project Manager at DOC DMC Macau & Hong Kong, a local MICE company, overseeing the full process of ground handling for international clients visiting Macao. During university, he participated in event planning such as dinners, gaining hands-on experience from coordination to execution, applying what he learned in class and building a solid foundation for his career. He also interned at the entertainment department of The Venetian Macao, accumulating practical experience in concerts and large-scale events, which helped him quickly develop professional industry insight.
Jacky believes that UTM’s English learning environment gives him a language advantage when dealing with international clients. The industry-focused curriculum ensures that his professional skills precisely match workplace demands. At the same time, Macao, as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure, offers abundant MICE and event resources, providing graduates with a broad platform for practice. He notes that many fellow alumni have also entered the MICE and event planning fields, forming a strong industry network that supports career development.
Hands-on Training Aligned with Industry Practice
Sibyl Li Shuhui, an alumna of the Hotel Management programme from Kunming, has worked in international hotels in Lhasa and Chongqing. She is currently the Director of Conference Sales at InterContinental Kunming, responsible for marketing strategy, team management and performance coordination. She notes that what she learned at UTM has greatly supported her career. Classroom presentations trained her communication skills, the hands-on curriculum closely followed industry practice, and the school taught her systematic working methods and the operational logic of the hotel industry – all of which made her career path smoother.
Regarding recognition in Mainland China, she points out that her alma mater has now been renamed a university and, in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject for “Hospitality and Leisure Management”, ranks 10th globally and 1st in Asia – its industry recognition is steadily rising. She adds that UTM cultivates industry elites with an international perspective. The curriculum is practical and grounded, and what students learn can be directly applied in the workplace – not just basic service skills, but with a focus on growing into industry leaders. She particularly recommends UTM to students who wish to develop their careers abroad, as the university’s well-established teaching system is also advantageous for applying to prestigious overseas institutions for further study.
From event planning to MICE operations, UTM alumni are shining in their chosen fields through diverse career choices and outstanding workplace performance.