President Fanny Vong, Guests, and Students,

Today, we gather here on the occasion of the 2011 Graduation Ceremony of the Institute for Tourism Studies to celebrate this important milestone in the lives of the graduates. Over 500 students are taking a break from their studies and opening a new chapter in their lives. I am truly delighted today to see all these vibrant, happy faces full of hope for the future!

The Institute for Tourism Studies recently celebrated its 16th anniversary. Graduate numbers have grown every year, increasing ten-fold from dozens to several hundreds today. This is testament to the Institute’s contribution in cultivating talents. The Institute also provides research and reference for the development of tourism services, as well as cultural and creative enterprises, in Macao, with the objective of assisting the government in policy-making and supporting the healthy development of the industries. Looking to the future, I hope that the Institute will continue its tradition of nurturing talents through providing quality education for students from Macao and the Mainland, as well as for those from other countries.

Macao is making efforts to build itself a world tourism and leisure centre to further enhance its competitiveness and to achieve appropriate economic diversification. To fulfill this great aim, the government is working closely with all the citizens of Macao! In the course of development, the road ahead will be long and full of difficulties and challenges. It is only through the active participation of all parts of society, and contributions from every sector, that we can together succeed. Our city’s development is driven by both people and facilities: these two elements are indispensable to sustainable growth.

As a public institute providing tertiary education in Macao, the Institute for Tourism Studies is committed to cultivating professional talents. The Institute offers both daytime and evening bachelor degree, diploma, and a variety of professional programmes. For many years, the Institute has been developing a large number of professionals for the tourism and hospitality industry. It is the government’s hope that the Institute will continue to offer more programmes to support the community’s development and train up more professionals to meet the future needs of Macao.

The recent implementation of the Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta offers Macao and neighbouring regions rich opportunities. The Outline supports the mutual development of the service industry in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and encourages mutual development of global logistics, the MICE industry, and the cultural and tourism sectors. The Outline also seeks to develop areas of cooperation such as Guangzhou Nansha New Area, Zhuhai Hengqin New Area, and the Cross-border co-operation area between Zhuhai and Macao so as to strengthen collaboration and sharing between Hong Kong and Macao, and bolster services and the high-tech industry. Such co-operation fosters the complementary advantages of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, in the face of strong international competition.

The Outline helps develop closer relationships in the long-term development of Macao and neighbouring regions, involving numerous industries. In the past, Macao’s fresh graduates had limited choices. Today, with the development of Macao and the gradual execution of the Outline, the education-career match rate has significantly improved, enabling students to make use of their capabilities to a greater extent.

Career path planning is crucial to personal development. Therefore, students should prepare themselves according to their own interests, talent, economic environment and policies. Students should think far ahead and set themselves ambitious and yet achievable targets. The opportunities are vast and varied and not limited by geography. I hope that you will exert efforts for and making contributions to the prosperity of Macao!

With all sincerity, I would like to wish all these wonderful graduating students a bright and prosperous future.

Thank you.