Students from the MSc in International Events Management programme recently completed a two-day study trip to Guangdong province, blending academic learning with practical exposure to major cultural and technological events. The trip was designed to integrate classroom theories with real-world practice across three core event courses of the programme: Events and the Society (MICE501), Innovation and Sustainability in Events (MICE502), and Design and Development of Professional Live Events (MICE503). The students were accompanied by faculty members Dr Veronica Lam, Dr Yan Io, and Dr Ubaldino Couto, who teach the respective courses.
The study trip began in Shenzhen with a visit to the 14th China Information Technology Expo (CITE) where students explored cutting-edge innovations and their applications in event management. The group then travelled to Guangzhou's Nansha district to experience the Greater Bay Area Lantern Carnival, a vibrant cultural event showcasing community engagement and regional integration. On the second day, students took part in a city walk at Nansha Marina, an experiential learning activity that allowed them to apply event design and planning skills in a real-world setting.
The study trip not only exposed students to large-scale events but also encouraged them to critically evaluate the impacts of such activities on local and the wider communities. Faculty members emphasised the importance of these experiential learning opportunities, noting that they enrich the curriculum, strengthen the link between theory and practice, and enhance the programme's appeal to students. The trip also aligns with contemporary policy initiatives promoting 'one event, multiple destinations' and deepening students' understanding and experience firsthand the integration within Greater Bay Area cities.
