Diploma Programmes - Internship Programme

The aims of the Internship
1. To allow students an opportunity to consolidate their theoretical foundation through practical experience. A major component of this experience is the formation of a professional attitude.
2. To allow students to develop their personality and capacity to adapt to, and handle, challenging situations. The students are expected to enhance the following skills during the period of internship:
  - communications skills
  - interpersonal skills
  - technical skills
  - teamwork skills; and
  - problem-solving skills
Eligibility

Students who have completed or are taking Diploma in Western Culinary Skills or Diploma in Pastry and Bakery should commence the internship after at least one practical module has been completed.
Internship duration/timing
1. Students are required to undertake an internship of 384 hours. Students who are working in the related field can request for exemption.
2. Students can take the internship during the school year or after completion of the programme. However, the total study time should not exceed three years.
3. Students can select their choice of internship schedule based on individual circumstances. However, most internship providers would require a minimum of 12 to 16 hours of internship per week and a minimum of 4 hours per shift.
4. Students can change their internship placement for once only. (Refer to 5.3 of Rules and Regulations)
  
  Students must have completed an internship period of 384 hours and submitted all the relevant documents to graduate from the programme. The graduation ceremony is normally held in November. Students are expected to submit their Internship Logbook before the end of September each year. Therefore, students are highly advised to plan their internship schedules ahead of time.
Application for internship
1. Students will be provided with a list of potential internship providers, where they can approach for internship placement. It is the primary responsibility of students to search for, contact, and negotiate with their potential internship provider(s) regarding the details of the internship arrangements. The Macao Institute for Tourism Studies, however, reserves the right for final approval or disapproval of such arrangements, on a case-by-case basis.
Qualifying internship placement
1. Students can choose their internship provider(s), provided that the internship position(s) assumed should be similar to an employment which a student may obtain upon graduation from the programme.
2. Students must prioritize obtaining internship placements at hotels, restaurants or pastry and bakery shops referred by the Macao Institute for Tourism Studies.
3. Change of Internship
  
  It is the student's responsibility to find a replacement prior to changing their internship placement.
  
  Students who wish to change their internship placement during their internship are required to:
  
  Request must be filed at least 3 weeks prior to the date on which the students wish to terminate his/her service.
  
  IFTM reserves the right to the final approval of the Change Request. Students are advised not to change their internship unless under certain circumstances. The total hour of internship and placement location will be recorded in the student's academic report.
Assessment
1. A student passes the internship if and when s/he:
  
  Satisfies the conditions stipulated in article 3 of this policy document.
  
  Receives a passing evaluation from the internship provider based on the Final Internship Provider Evaluation Form.
  
  Receives a passing evaluation from the internship committee during the internship site visit.
  
  Submits the completed Internship Logbook to the Pedagogic Affairs Department within 14 calendar days after the last day of the internship.

Application Process
1. Students should plan ahead and liaise directly with the Human Resources/Training department of the desired internship provider(s) to decide on the details of the internship arrangements (See Policy 4.0 – Application for internship).
2. Students should submit the Letter of Confirmation prepared by the internship provider(s), together with all relevant information about the internship arrangements such as the commencement of internship, the provisions of workplace uniform, food, accommodation, and transportation, etc. to the Institute for final approval. In case the internship provider does not issue a confirmation/ offer letter, students should take the responsibility to inform the Regent of Industry Assignments immediately through telephone, email or in person of the above mentioned information. It is important for students to approach the Regent of Industry Assignments for internship agreement before taking the internship.
3. Students should obtain the Internship Logbook (enclosed with Final Internship Provider Evaluation Form and postage-paid envelope) and Internship Agreement from The Pedagogic Affairs Department before commencing the internship.
Assessment and Evaluation
1. During the internship period, the Institute may do site-visits, some of which may be unannounced, primarily to review the students' performance.
2. Every month, students should request their immediate manager / supervisor (normally it is the Executive Chef or any Chef with higher positions) to fill out the Monthly Performance Appraisal in the Internship Logbook. Students should make progress of themselves based on the comments made by their supervisors.
3. Before the end of the internship placement, students should submit the Final Internship Provider Evaluation Form to the immediate manager/ supervisor who is to complete the form, sign it, enclose in a sealed envelope, post it to the Macao Institute for Tourism Studies. (please indicate SCE – School of Continuing Education on the envelope)
4. At the end of the internship period, students should submit the Internship Logbook to the Pedagogic Affairs Department within 14 calendar days after the last day of the internship.
5. Evaluation results will be shown in the academic report / transcript and will be marked as (P) Pass or (F) Fail. Students who fail the internship will not be awarded the Diploma.
Deferral
1. Students cannot change or cancel their internship placements without approval from the Macao Institute for Tourism Studies.
Problems with the internship employer
1. Students should first try to directly resolve any problems arising with their internship provider. When all reasonable attempts to solve the problems have failed, the students should contact the Macao Institute for Tourism Studies for advice and assistance.
Absence from Internship
1. In case of personal illnesses or injuries during the assigned internship period, students should report to both Internship Provider and Regent of Industry Assignments immediately. Student should also submit a doctor's certificate upon returning to work.
Retake Internship
1. Should a student fail after completing the internship period of 384 hours, s/he should repeat the internship in order to graduate from the programme.