The quality of education at UTM attracts people not only from Macao and the rest of Asia but also from other continents. The University uses Macao’s platform role within China’s ‘Belt and Road’ initiative to welcome foreign students and contribute on people-to-people exchanges at international level
Circa 15,500 kilometres: the distance from the British Virgin Islands, in the Caribbean, to Macao. That is how far UTM student Adante Brian George is from home. He enrolled at the University last summer on the Tourism Retail and Marketing Management Bachelor’s Degree Programme.
Adante is not the only undergraduate at UTM from a far-flung place. Catherine Nkatha Thuranira left her home nation of Kenya in Africa, last summer, to study for a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management at UTM.
Adante and Catherine are recipients of scholarships from UTM, covering their tuition expenses. This aligns with the University’s aim of contributing to the goals of the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative, as proposed by President Xi Jinping. These include increasing international exchanges and stimulating common development.
The welcoming of foreign students at UTM highlights Macao’s unique positioning and contributions to the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative, particularly as a platform promoting people-to-people exchanges. Additionally, it helps foster cooperation in education and training between China and other countries participating in the initiative.
UTM stood out for “its reputation for academic rigour and its strategic location” in terms of Macao’s geography, making the University “the perfect choice for my academic journey,” says Adante.
Adante is passionate about exploring different cultures and understanding the complexities of the global tourism industry. Therefore, Macao’s unique blend of Portuguese culture and Chinese culture, coupled with its status as a global tourism hub, instantly captured his interest.
Almost one year into his studies at the University, the foreign student says the experience has been “nothing short of transformative”. He praises UTM’s “vibrant campus life” and the friendships he has developed with local and international students.
“Of course, the journey hasn’t been without challenges,” he admits. “Adapting to a new academic environment and overcoming language barriers tested my resilience, but these experiences have ultimately shaped me into a more adaptable and culturally sensitive individual,” says Adante.
“Additionally, actively seeking out resources such as academic support services and mentorship programmes has been instrumental in my academic success.”
Echoing the overall purposes of the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative, Adante hopes to use the knowledge and skills he is learning at UTM to “make meaningful contributions to the global tourism landscape”.
He is confident that UTM’s comprehensive curriculum and industry connections will continue to support him in achieving his goals and aspirations.
From vibrant Kenya to buzzling Macao
Catherine – known as Cathy at UTM – also reports her time so far at the University has been “transformative” and “inspiring”. She is senior in age to Adante, and thankful for the opportunity to return to formal education and refresh her knowledge and skills, particularly in the rapidly-advancing field of hospitality.
“Life’s commitments and my professional work in Kenya kept pushing that dream to the back burner,” she says. “With determination fuelling my actions, I decided to pause my professional life to wholeheartedly pursue higher education. I boldly decided to study abroad, believing that immersing myself in a new environment would help me dedicate my full attention to my studies.”
Her academic adventure began in Malaysia, where she studied for a year. Her family then suggested she apply to UTM. The University “turned out to be a superior choice”, providing her with an opportunity to immerse herself into her chosen field of study, says Cathy. She stresses the importance of the scholarship from UTM to overcome financial constraints.
Moreover, the support from the University is, in Cathy’s words, “commendable”. The faculty members “are not only experts in their respective fields but are also genuinely invested in the success of their students,” she says.
“From the moment I set foot on campus, I was impressed by the state-of-the-art facilities and equipment,” Cathy comments. “Being a student at UTM has opened up a myriad of opportunities.”
In April, she was among the UTM students providing service support for the gala dinner of the 6th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macau). The event involved a number of top government officials and other representatives from China as well as from Lusophone countries.
“This experience was nothing short of an eye-opener, teaching me how to present myself and work effectively in high-stakes situations,” Cathy says.
She hopes her story as an adult student “serves as a beacon of encouragement” to anyone considering furthering their education, despite their age. “It is never too late to pursue your dreams, and with dedication and the right support, anything is possible,” says Cathy.
Editor: UTM Public Relations Team
