Introduced by the Macao Government Tourism Office, Ms. Caterin Estrada Cardona, Head of the Office of Internationalization at the Mayor’s Office of Manizales and Focal Point of Manizales as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, visited the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management (FHTM) at Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) on March 24, 2026. She was warmly received by Dean Prof. Ben K. Goh, Program Director Assistant Professor Brenda Yang, and Assistant Administrative Officer Ms. Michelle Ou.
From left: Dr. Brenda Yang, Prof. Ben K. Goh, Ms. Caterin Estrada Cardona, and Ms. Michelle Ou
During the visit, Ms. Caterin Estrada Cardona toured the University History Gallery and the Culinary Labs, gaining insight into MUST’s development and practical training facilities.
At the meeting, Ms. Cardona highlighted Manizales’ unique position as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. She noted the city’s robust ecosystem encompassing gastronomy, creativity, and education, and expressed interest in learning from Macao’s successful experience to explore academic and training exchanges in gastronomy, tourism, creativity, and innovation. As a starting point, she proposed identifying a small pilot action of mutual benefit.
Exchange of Souvenirs
Dean Prof. Ben K. Goh extended a warm welcome to Ms. Caterin Estrada Cardona and introduced the Faculty’s development milestones, international cooperation network, and academic achievements in gastronomy and tourism. He expressed the Faculty’s keen interest in establishing connections with relevant institutions in Colombia, particularly regarding student and faculty exchanges and joint projects in gastronomy, tourism management, and the creative industries.
Both parties engaged in in-depth discussions on potential future collaborations in a cordial atmosphere, agreeing that there is significant potential for cooperation between the two regions in gastronomic culture and tourism education. This exchange not only deepened the ties between Macao and Manizales as UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy, but also added new momentum to cooperation between Macao and Latin American countries within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative in areas such as sustainable tourism, cultural creativity, and talent development. Following the meeting, commemorative gifts were exchanged and a group photo was taken.
