Wynn Macau and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) have officially kicked off the 10-day “Wynn x UNLV Student Exchange Program 2025,” supported by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO).
The initiative aligns with the policy direction of integrating “tourism + education,” aiming to facilitate extensive academic and cultural exchange while positioning Macao as an international exchange platform.
This program not only combines academic knowledge and practice but also builds a bridge of cultural exchange, fostering understanding and collaboration on an international scale and showcasing the uniqueness of Macao as a hub of cultures from around the globe.
The opening ceremony was held at Wynn Palace yesterday and was officiated by Mr. Herbert Choi, Acting Head of Organizational Planning and Development Department of MGTO; Mr. Sam Hio Tong, Acting Head of the Department of Tertiary Education of the Education and Youth Development Bureau, Dr. Tony Henthorne, Professor at the UNLV Harrah College of Hospitality and Ms. Linda Chen, President, Vice Chairman and Executive Director of Wynn Macau, Limited.
Some other distinguished guests also attended the ceremony in support of this program, truly showing their strong emphasis on driving global educational exchange and talent development, and they included:
- Dr. Patty Coaley, Assistant Professor in Residence at UNLV;
- Mr. Frederic Luvisutto, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director; Mr. Craig Fullalove, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer;
- Ms. Zuleika Mok, Senior Vice President of Human Resources of Wynn Macau Limited;
- Dr. Barry Ip, Vice President of Learning and Advancement of Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace.
Ms. Linda Chen noted in her speech that, “Wynn is always dedicated to the growth and learning of young people and has held diverse educational activities to nurture talent for the future development of Macao. This ten-day program has been thoughtfully designed to provide UNLV students with valuable opportunities for practical experience and insights into the hospitality industry in Macao. By leveraging Macao’s role as an international connecting platform, the program will also enhance the students’ understanding of local and Chinese culture and help to promote cultural exchange between the two countries.”
“This partnership with Wynn Macau represents an incredible opportunity for UNLV students to experience a different culture, be exposed to new languages, and grow personally and professionally,” said Dr. Tony Henthorne. “We cannot thank Wynn Macau enough for their commitment to making this happen for our students.”
After the opening ceremony, Mr. Fomen Leong, Acting Head of Research and Planning Division of MGTO delivered a keynote address entitled “Tourism Trends in Macao and Travel Opportunities in Greater Bay Area,” giving students a deeper knowledge of local tourism development and the potential of regional cooperation and inspiring them to explore future career paths from multiple perspectives.
Under this exchange program, twelve students will be invited to gain a personal experience of Macao, a city known for the fusion of Chinese and Western cultures, and their cross-cultural understanding and international perspectives will be strengthened through a series of activities curated by the Wynn Academy.
The activities, including round-table dialogues with senior executives, lectures on integrated resort operations, intangible culinary heritage workshops, and World Heritage guided tours, will provide practical insights and valuable experience for the students to join the integrated resort industry in the future.
Wynn truly believes these practical and interactive learning opportunities can provide students with valuable experience and further enhance their professional competitiveness in a globalized world.
