A group of UTM graduate students attended the acclaimed immersive performance event "SAGA: City of Light" in Shanghai on November 10. Led by Dr. Joe Yong Zhou, 28 students from the International Events Management (IEM) MSc program participated in this enriching experience. After the 90-minute immersive performance, the students toured the backstage operations area, where they engaged directly with the heads of operations, technology, and marketing from the host company. These professionals demonstrated the intricacies of backstage coordination, on-site monitoring setups, and facilities and lighting control, while also sharing valuable insights into the operational processes involved. This field visit provided students with a unique firsthand look at the mechanisms behind large-scale immersive events, significantly enhancing their understanding of the latest developments in event management and cultural tourism.
The group visited the School of Tourism at Shanghai Normal University (SHNU) for an academic exchange on the following day. They engaged in discussions with around ten graduate students from SHNU, as well as Professor Song Bo, Executive Vice Director of the Institute of Tourism Research, and Professor Zhao Zhonghua, head of the event management program. Professors Song and Zhao offered insights into tourism and event education at SHNU, including recent developments and trends in Shanghai's MICE industry. Dr. Zhou presented an overview of UTM’s history, program offerings, and admission policies, with a particular focus on the curriculum and teaching features of the IEM program. Following these presentations, faculty and students from both universities participated in lively discussions on academic topics and future career development. This exchange activity provided a valuable opportunity for face-to-face interaction, helping students broaden their academic horizons and fostering cooperation and friendship between the two institutions.
