Practicum + MORS Professional Certified Programme (PMPP)

Macao University of Tourism (UTM) is offering the “Practicum + MORS Professional Certified Programme” (PMPP) to increase the overall competitiveness of students. PMPP will equip students with the practical skills and fundamental knowledge required for management positions in the tourism and hospitality industry. It also provides a firm foundation for student's future career development. Upon successful completion, students will be awarded:

Important Information

PMPP is an extension to the compulsory practicum courses of BSc in Hotel Management and BSc in Tourism Event Management. It incorporates advanced and tailor-made professional training to prepare students to obtain the “Macao Occupational Skills Recognition System (MORS)” qualifications while attending undergraduate studies. To assist UTM students in participating in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) vocational skills assessment in the future and successfully obtaining relevant skills certifications from Guangdong Province and Macau, we have specially set up the following PMPP options:

PMPP options

MORS certifications to be received

Eligible to apply for international certifications

Option 1

Complete and pass the PMPP assessments

 

*Will get exemption from 135-course hours and related credits of 3 Practicum Courses (PRA1001A/B/D)

1.      MORS - Front Desk Agent (Intermediate)

2.      MORS - Room Attendant (Intermediate)

3.      MORS - Waiter/Waitress (Western Restaurant Service) (Intermediate)

Eligible to apply American Hotel & Lodging  Educational Institute (AHLEI) Line-level certificate in the relevant skill areas*

 

Option 2

Complete and pass the PMPP assessments

 

*Will get exemption from 180-course hours and related credits of 4 Practicum Courses (PRA1001A/B/C/D)

1.      MORS - Front Desk Agent (Intermediate)

2.      MORS - Room Attendant (Intermediate)

3.      MORS - Western Chef (Elementary)

4.      MORS - Waiter/Waitress (Western Restaurant Service) (Intermediate)

Option 3

1. Complete 180-course hours of 4 Practicum Courses (PRA1001A/B/C/D) AND

2. Achieve a score of 75 or above in the written examination for each Practicum Course AND

3. Complete the MORS intensive courses and pass the practical assessment

1.      MORS - Front Desk Agent (Intermediate)

2.      MORS - Room Attendant (Intermediate)

3.      MORS - Western Chef (Elementary)

4.      MORS - Waiter/Waitress (Western Restaurant Service) (Intermediate)

* Applicants are required to submit a paid application through UTM to participate in the examination for AHLEI frontline‑level certificates corresponding to the relevant occupation.

Programme Highlights

Course Content

Course Name (1)
MORS - Front Desk Agent (Intermediate)
Duration 45 hours
Competencies Upon completion of the course, students should be able to
  • handle the basic work of the hotel's front office services according to the guidelines of occupational skills standard
Course Content
  • Hotel organisation and front desk terminology
  • Preparing for work
  • Using telephone and taking message
  • Handling reservations
  • Check-in
  • Dealing with guest enquiries
  • Handling mail and message
  • Safe deposit procedure
  • Shift duties
  • Check-out
  • Shift handover
  • Handling complaints
  • The night audit

Course Name (2)
MORS - Waiter/Waitress (Western Restaurant Service) (Intermediate)
Duration 45 hours
Competencies Upon completion of the course, students should be able to
  • assist restaurant supervisor to perform and coordinate operations according to the guidelines of occupational skills standard
Course Content
  • Reporting for duty
  • Cleaning the restaurant
  • Setting-up the restaurant
  • Welcoming guests
  • Taking the order
  • Placing the order
  • Using trays
  • Serving non-alcoholic beverages
  • Serving alcoholic beverages
  • Serving meals
  • Presenting the bill
  • Closing the restaurant
  • Room service
  • Buffets
  • Handling meetings

Course Name (3)
MORS - Room Attendant (Intermediate)
Duration 45 hours
Competencies Upon completion of the course, students should be able to
  • handle the basic work of the hotel's housekeeping services according to the guidelines of occupational skills standard
Course Content
  • Preparing for work
  • Setting-up the trolley
  • Servicing a check-out room
  • Servicing a bathroom
  • Servicing an occupied room
  • Servicing a vacant room
  • Providing turn-down service
  • Handling guest’s laundry and dry cleaning
  • Handling non-routine cleaning
  • Removing stains
  • Dealing with pests
  • Servicing public areas
  • Handling the telephone
  • Handling guest contact
  • The tasks before closing down
Course Name (4)
MORS - Western Chef (Elementary)
Duration 45 hours
Competencies Upon completion of the course, students should be able to
  • demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles of food safety and sanitation and be able to apply them in the Western kitchen
  • demonstrate knowledge on food products and develop skills in knife and kitchen equipment handling
  • apply basic principles and techniques of Western food preparation to produce a variety of food products
  • recognise the importance of organisational skills and integrate them into their work environment
Course Content
  • Western kitchen hygiene and safety
    • The safe food handler
    • The flow of food
    • Food contamination
  • Basic cutting techniques
    • Classic vegetable cuts: brunoise, macedoine, julienne, batonnet, jardinière and paysanne
    • Different cuts of meat: beef, lamb, poultry, pork
    • Different cuts of fish: fillet, steak
  • Kitchen equipment
    • Cooking equipment
    • Processing equipment
    • Insulation and storage equipment
  • Food product knowledge
    • Vegetables and fruits
    • Grains and pastas
    • Herbs and spices
    • Cheese and dairy products
    • Poultry, meat, fish and shellfish
  • Mise-en-place
    • Transporting and storing products
    • Handling food
    • Recognising processed and unprocessed products
    • Reading recipes and measurements for making food
  • Culinary glossary
    • Commonly used cooking terms
    • Basic French culinary terms used in Western kitchen operations
  • Western cuisine basic cooking methods
    • Boiling, blanching and poaching
    • Roasting
    • Frying
    • Stewing
    • Marinating
    • Grilling
    • Baking
    • Gratinating
    • Steaming
  • Food production
    • Basic stock: vegetable, fish and beef stock
    • Soup: puree, cream and consommé
    • Classic matriarchal sauces: bechamel, velouté, tomato, brown and mayonnaise
    • Classic salads and salad dressings
    • Eggs: fried, scrambled, poached, boiled and omelet
    • Pasta and rice
    • Basic main course
    • Introduction to dessert
  • Introduction to Western culinary arts: History, modern trends and development
    • Development of the food service industry in the 20th century
    • Principles of kitchen organisation
    • Factors to consider in organising the kitchen
    • The production process
Things to note
  1. Classes will be held on Fridays. Class schedule will be sent via email before the semester commences.
  2. No refunds will be available after the class is confirmed.
  3. Students taking Option 1 or Option 2 are not enrolled onto the practicum courses as part of the degree programme. However, students are eligible to attend these courses as part of the degree programme. Therefore, students must make special request during the course add/drop period according to the Programme Handbook. Failure to complete all Practicum components within the normal study duration may result in delayed graduation and incur additional charges.
  4. Students taking Option 1 or Option 2 without attending the practicum courses as part of the degree programme will be marked as “X” on the transcript. This indicates course exemption, which will be credit bearing but will not be calculated towards Grade Point Average (GPA).
  5. Students joining the PMPP programme must abide by all rules and regulations as stipulated by Institute of Executive and Professional Development (IEPD). Students taking the degree programme practicum courses must abide by all rules and regulations as stipulated on the Student Handbook and specific course requirements and expectations from the course instructors.
  6. Below is an example for choosing PMPP Option 1:

PMPP

Course Codes for Practicum

Grade

GPA

Credits

MORS - Front Desk Agent (Intermediate)

PRA1001A

X

Not counted

0.75

MORS - Room Attendant (Intermediate)

PRA1001B

X

Not counted

0.75

Not applicable

PRA1001C

A

Counted

0.75

MORS - Waiter/Waitress (Western Restaurant Service) (Intermediate)

PRA1001D

X

Not counted

0.75

As the practicum only carries a total of 3 credits and will be presented as 1 grade on your transcript. The above scenario will show your final grade for PRA1001 - Practicum = A.

  1. Below is an example for choosing PMPP Option 2:

PMPP

Course Codes for Practicum

Grade

GPA

Credits

MORS - Front Desk Agent (Intermediate)

PRA1001A

X

Not counted

0.75

MORS - Room Attendant (Intermediate)

PRA1001B

X

Not counted

0.75

MORS - Western Chef (Elementary)

PRA1001C

X

Not counted

0.75

MORS - Waiter/Waitress (Western Restaurant Service) (Intermediate)

PRA1001D

X

Not counted

0.75

The above scenario will show your final grade for PRA1001 - Practicum = X.

Cooperative Education Programme with AHLEI
The American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), established in 1953, is a nonprofit educational foundation. As the educational arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), AHLEI has worked to provide hospitality organizations and schools with quality resources to train, educate, and certify hospitality professionals. Its certifications are highly recognised by the lodging and hospitality industries over the world. More details can be found at www.ahlei.org.

In order to provide more opportunities to our students to gain international qualifications, starting from 28 Jan 2026, students who have passed the following Macao Occupational Skills Recognition System (MORS) assessment , can submit their applications to our university to apply for the AHLEI line level certificate written examination in the corresponding occupation at their own expenses (Application details and fees will be announced later).

Examination Periods: March and August each year

Macao University of Tourism has specially launched the “AHLEI Mock Examination Workshop,” designed for participants who are committed to enhancing their professional expertise. Through structured mock examinations and focused instruction, the workshop helps participants strengthen their professional knowledge, refine exam-taking skills, and build a solid foundation for international certification. Registration details and fees will be announced at a later date. Please stay tuned.

Macao Occupational Skills Recognition System

With the assistance of the European Union, MORS (Macao Occupational Skills Recognition System) was introduced in 2001. The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) awarded it the PATA Gold Award in the "Education and Training" category. The development of a series of skill standards, training programmes, and an evaluation system for professions associated with tourism is the primary objective of the system, which is designed to improve the quality of human resources in the sector. Over the past years, with the joint efforts of the Macao University of Tourism and the local tourism industry, a total of 20 occupational skill standards have been developed.

This system aims to establish high-quality occupational proficiency for the industry through comprehensive training programmes. Students will undergo rigorous examination, which includes both theoretical and practical exams, to assess their skills and proficiency and ensure they attain the certification level.

A job is broken down into parts, or tasks and subtasks. The competent performance of those tasks is specified by performance criteria, knowledge and understanding. A MORS certificate will be awarded to the trainee once s/he passes the written and technical skills examination to prove his/her competence in the profession.

Certificate of Competence (Sample)

Gold Pin Competition

The Gold Pin Competition has been a recurring hospitality event under the Macao Occupational Skills Recognition System (MORS) of the Macao University of Tourism (UTM) for a significant number of years since 2002. The primary objective of this event is to enhance the professional competencies of the Macao tourism industry. It serves as a platform for professionals in the industry to showcase their skills. Through mutual exchange and learning, participants can enhance their technical expertise and build self-confidence. The Gold Pin Competition is not only a stage to demonstrate outstanding skills but also an opportunity to foster friendship and mutual inspiration. The winners of the competition were vying for the coveted prizes – Gold Pins – in 11 occupation categories.  A total of 2 winners were chosen for each category, following 3 rounds of competition. In addition to the Golden Pins, the winner will also receive a MORS Certificate of the corresponding occupation and an international certificate issued by the Institute of Education of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLEI). At the same time, they will also receive a cash prize and a programme subsidy from the UTM Institute of Executive and Professional Development.

One Examination Multiple Certificates

In 2021, the Macao University of Tourism (UTM) signed the [Collaboration Agreement under the regime of "Macao Occupational Skills Recognition System (MORS)"- One Examination Multiple Certificates for the evaluation collaboration of professionally qualified personnel under Guangdong and Macao] with the Guangdong Occupational Skill Service and Instruction Center of the Human Resources and Social Security Department of Guangdong Province and the Labor Affairs Bureau of Macao SAR (DSAL).

The three parties recognised the positive role of "Macao Occupational Skills Recognition Standards (MORS)" in improving the quality of human resources in the tourism industry and its impact towards Macao tourism and hotel industries. As a result, they decided to incorporate "Macao Occupational Skills Recognition Standards (MORS)" into the joint Guangdong-Macao Research and implement the "one test, multiple certificates" occupational skills training and evaluation collaboration project to further explore the cooperation field. 

Trainees who pass the assessment can be issued a Certificate of Occupational Skill Level issued by The Working Committee of One Examination Multiple Certification(s), Occupational Skills Assessment of Guangdong Province, a Macao Professional Qualification Certificate issued by DSAL, and a Certificate of Competence of MORS issued by UTM.

Certificate of Occupational Skill Level recognised in China (Sample)

Macao Professional Qualification Certificate issued by DSAL (Sample)

Certificate of Competence of MORS issued by UTM (Sample)

For further information, please refer to iepd.sa@utm.edu.mo