EdUHK and TIA sign MoU to enhance tourism training and student employability

The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) and the Travel Industry Authority (TIA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in professional training, course accreditation and tourism talent development, fostering a pipeline of industry-ready professionals for Hong Kong's tourism sector.

The MoU was signed by Professor May Cheng May-hung, Vice President (Academic) of EdUHK, and Mr Kevin Lam Sze-cay, JP, Chairman of the TIA, and was witnessed by Ms Ann Chan Wai Yan, JP, Commissioner for Tourism of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. Professor Naubahar Sharif, Head of Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies, attended the signing ceremony held on 25 September 2026.

As the first university in Hong Kong to establish a formal partnership with the TIA through an MoU, EdUHK will work closely with the Authority to support the development of qualified tourism professionals and strengthen links between higher education and the tourism industry.

In response to the growing demand for study tours in primary and secondary schools, EdUHK has launched SSC 3361 “Training for Tour Escorts and Fundamentals of Study Tour Planning and Operations”. Accredited by the TIA, the course equips students, particularly pre-service teachers, with the knowledge and practical skills required for tour escorting, study tour planning and operational management. It also enhances their employability and broadens career opportunities in both the education and tourism sectors.

Students who successfully complete relevant accredited courses may be eligible to sit for the Tour Escort Licence and Tourist Guide (Reception Services) Licence examinations, subject to the TIA's requirements. This provides a pathway to recognised professional qualifications and career opportunities within the tourism industry.