Expanding international horizons, enhancing English proficiency, and embracing practical learning opportunities are key aspirations for the inaugural cohort of 12 students in the “2+2” dual bachelor’s degree programme between UTM and Foshan University, as they have started their academic voyage at UTM.
The first cohort of 12 students enrolled in the “2+2” dual bachelor’s degree programme, a collaborative effort between UTM and Foshan University (FOSU) in Guangdong province, have commenced their academic journey in Macao during the 2024/2025 academic year.
Beyond gaining a unique cultural perspective of the city, these students aspire to leverage UTM’s internationalised setting, English-medium instruction, practical learning opportunities and more to enhance their preparedness for future advancements.
This joint programme is designed to furnish students with state-of-the-art insights into the tourism sector. Students under this programme kick off their academic study at FOSU for the first two years, subsequently transitioning to UTM for their final two years.
“This joint programme emphasises a 'practice-oriented' and 'internationalisation' approach, aiming to nurture future tourism leaders for Macao, Foshan, and the Greater Bay Area,” Dr. Max Zhao, Dean of Faculty of Creative Tourism and Intelligent Technologies of UTM, remarked.
With a focus on the concepts and skills of sustainable development, as well as management and operation of tourism business, the programme aims to cultivate professionals capable of thinking on a global scale, acting with ethical integrity, and making local decisions, according to Dr. Li Xiangping, Coordinator for the Tourism Business Management Programme and Assistant Professor.
Proactive learning beyond classroom
Among the first cohort of the programme is Judy Zhu Xiaoqing, who is keen on exploring the distinctive educational paradigms of the two institutions. While both universities are well-endowed with resources and esteemed faculty members, Judy finds the learning environment at UTM refreshingly novel.
“At UTM, every course involves a plethora of group assignments, prompting us to independently explore supplementary knowledge outside the classroom. We are tasked with analysing real-life scenarios and applying our learnings to tackle challenges,” she elaborated. “This approach to learning further kindles our passion for academic pursuits.”
Another student Xiao Yuansi pointed out, “The English-medium instruction at UTM is a departure from our previous experience at FOSU, as we are now required to respond to inquiries and complete assignments in English.”
Despite the adjustments she has had to make, Yuansi has thus far found her experience at UTM gratifying, making her university life more fulfilling and captivating while also allowing her to experience the differences between Macao and Mainland China.
"I aim to enhance my English communication skills [at UTM], achieve a commendable GPA, and acquire practical knowledge to prepare for my forthcoming internship and graduate school application,” she added.
Cross-cultural experience within global framework
With UTM's curriculum focusing on theoretical learning in the classroom and hands-on experiences, students in its bachelor’s degree programmes must undertake a six-month internship during their third year. Correspondingly, the 12 students enrolled in the “2+2” dual degree programme will commence their internships in the upcoming semester.
Upon successfully completing all required courses and meeting the academic requisites of both institutions over four years, the students will receive two degrees – a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Business Management from UTM and a Bachelor of Management from FOSU.
“This '2+2' programme allows students to deeply immerse themselves in two distinct cultures and fields of expertise within a global framework. It offers a unique advantage that conventional programmes cannot provide,” remarked Hailey Li Zilin, also part of the inaugural cohort in the joint programme.
Reflecting on her initial impressions of UTM, Hailey highlighted the university's numerous study spaces and multifunctional conference rooms, fostering an environment conducive to study and group discussions. The dormitory also offers an array of activities for her and her peers to unwind and relish the university experience.
“As UTM places a strong emphasis on independent and proactive learning, we have to hone our time management skills,” she added.
From Hailey’s standpoint, this dual degree programme enriches her cultural exposure and broadens international horizons, vital aspects for students specialising in tourism management. “These four years of education will encompass independent living, cross-cultural communication, and personal development,” she concluded.