The Macao University of Tourism (UTM) is looking to establish a third campus in Hengqin, according to rector Fanny Vong, who spoke on the sidelines of a tourism education student summit yesterday.
In an interview with TDM, Vong said that talks were already underway with authorities to push the project forward. “Hengqin has a lot of space that we don’t have here in Macao,” the rector said. “We are aware of the huge potential that there is in Hengqin.”
Vong also stated that the pre-existing infrastructure, programmes and resources that are in UTM’s two campuses in Mong-Há and Taipa could be “transferred or migrated to Hengqin if necessary.”
[See more: UTM’s rector on tourism, future plans and the organisation’s rebranding]
Formerly known as the Macao Institute for Tourism Studies, UTM rebranded itself as a university on 1 April in an effort to better reflect its high quality of teaching. Last year, the institution was ranked tenth in the world on a list of the best hospitality and leisure management schools.
Vong revealed that enrolment numbers have risen following the institution’s name change and strengthening of promotion in both mainland China and abroad.
This academic year saw approximately 600 new students, an increase of at least 30 percent year-on-year, she said.
