The Macao University of Tourism (UTM), established in 1995, is formerly known as Macao Institute for Tourism Studies (IFTM). It is a public institution of higher education in Macao under the supervision of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government. UTM offers degree programmes, as well as professional training in a wide range of culture, tourism and hospitality management related disciplines such as hospitality, tourism, cultural and heritage, creative and cultural studies, events, leisure and entertainment, sports and recreation, culinary arts, food and beverage, smart technologies, business, marketing and brand, communication, and language. The University is committed to providing quality tourism education to its students. In recent years, the University has continued to improve its teaching and research standards and has developed into a higher education institution offering Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral degrees, as well as continuing education and internationally accredited programmes. The university is entrusted by the local authorities to conduct policy level research related to tourism planning and development.