On 6 April, 2010, the Institute For Tourism Studies (IFT) signed a Cooperation Agreement with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Singapore Campus to offer a Master of Hospitality Administration – Executive Programme in Macao. The President of IFT, Dr. Fanny Vong and the Dean of UNLV’s Singapore Campus, Dr. Andy Nazarechuk, presided over the ceremony that was held in the Pousada Conference Room of IFT. This agreement launches the newest graduate degree programme offering in Macao which is slated to begin August 2010.
UNLV’s Master of Hospitality Administration degree programme targets working professionals within the hospitality field. Its flexible programme design, combining distance learning and on-site intensive one-week seminars, is a convenient model for industry professionals to keep their current employment while studying for an internationally recognised graduate degree. The MHA degree programme is offered at the Las Vegas and Singapore campuses of UNLV, and Macao will be its third programme location offering.
Dr. Stuart Mann, Dean of UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration in Las Vegas says, “UNLV views IFT to be the best choice for establishing a presence in Macao. IFT is a partner that has had success in international education and is respected by the tourism industry. We look forward to a strong partnership in not only growing this degree programme, but enhancing future professional development and research opportunities.”
UNLV congratulates IFT in celebrating 15 years of hospitality education and looks forward to a strong working relationship in its first graduate degree offering in Macao. Dr. Andy Nazarechuk, Dean of UNLV’s Singapore Campus says, “We are proud to partner with IFT as the choice for our newest graduate degree programme. UNLV has had a long and positive relationship with IFT Macao, and recognises IFT as a leading tourism educational organisation in the region. We are confident that by working together we will be able to enhance the hospitality management education for the tourism industry.”
Dr. Fanny Vong, President of IFT says, “It’s our honour to partner with UNLV to bring in this quality postgraduate programme to Macao. UNLV as a pioneering institution in tourism studies, its Master Programme in Hospitality Administration has demonstrated great success in Singapore, and we are confident that it will have the same impact in Macao to advance our education in tourism and hospitality.”
UNLV will welcome its first batch of Masters students in Macao at the beginning of August 2010. A programme preview and a cocktail reception will be held on Wednesday, 7 April, 2010 at 1830 in the Pousada Conference Room, IFT. Interested candidates are requested to register for the session by contacting IFT Public Relations Department at iftpr@ift.edu.mo or (853) 85983-182/046. During this event hosted by the Dean of UNLV’s Singapore Campus, Dr. Andy Nazarechuk, attendees will be able to learn more about the Master of Hospitality Administration Executive Programme and will also be given a preview of the campus facilities.
Background on UNLV and IFT
UNLV has a 50-year history of academic excellence and its graduates can be found in key management positions in leading hotels throughout the world. The Singapore Campus which opened in August 2006 is UNLV’s first international campus and has a current student population of over 250 students. UNLV Singapore Campus is accredited in the United States and recognised by the Singapore Ministry of Education.
IFT established in 1995, is a public institution of higher education that offers tourism, heritage, hospitality, tourism event and tourism retail and marketing management degree programmes, as well as professional training. IFT has received various awards in recognition of its achievement in quality education and in 2008, IFT was awarded the “Medal of Merit for Tourism” by the Macao SAR Government for its contribution to the development of tourism industry.
Contact Information for media interview
For more information or to arrange for interviews with either Dr. Andy Nazarechuk, Dean of UNLV Singapore or Dr. Fanny Vong, President of IFT Macao, please contact:
For UNLV Singapore
Ms. Jenny Weinman
Manager of Graduate Programs
(65) 6332-9538 ext. 610
jennifer.weinman@unlv.edu.sg
For IFT Macao
Ms. Frida Law
Senior Public Relations Officer
(853) 8598-3182
frida@ift.edu.mo
