Wynn extends support for teaching, research and academic development at the University of Macau

  • 28-AUG-2020

Wynn extends support for teaching, research and academic development at the University of Macau
Establishing new tourism trends in the post-pandemic era
 
Macau, August 28, 2020 – As one of Wynn Resorts (Macau) S.A. most far-reaching corporate social responsibility initiatives, the company today announced a donation of MOP 80 million to the University of Macau Development Foundation (UMDF), supporting the educational development of the University of Macau and its Asia-Pacific Academy of Economics and Management.
 
A cheque donation ceremony took place at Wynn Palace. Ms. Linda Chen, President and Executive Director of Wynn Resorts (Macau) S.A. and Vice Chairman and Executive Director of Wynn Macau, Limited, and Mr. Ian Michael Coughlan, President and Executive Director of Wynn Macau, Limited presented the cheque on behalf of Wynn, which was received by Dr. LAM Kam Seng Peter, University Council Chair / Chair of the Trustees Committee of UMDF and Prof. Yonghua SONG, Rector / Vice Chair of the Executive Committee of UMDF. The event was also graced by the presence of Prof. Michael King Man HUI, Vice Rector (Academic Affairs) / Interim Director, Asia-Pacific Academy of Economics and Management; Prof. Jean Jinghan CHEN, Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration; Ms. Cindy Yuk Yee LAM, Director of the Alumni and Development Office; and Ms. Katharine Liu, Senior Vice President of Communications of Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace.
 
With the support of all sectors of the local community, the University of Macau has made rapid progress in recent years and its position has steadily risen in international rankings. At present, eight subjects at the University of Macau are among the top 1% in the world in the Essential Science Indicators (ESI) index, including engineering, chemistry, computer and information science, pharmacology and toxicology, materials science, clinical medicine, psychiatry/psychology and social science. As a comprehensive university, the University of Macau strives to push forward the development of technological innovation and cross-field humanities and social sciences, forming a "3+3+3+3" strategic approach in its scientific research. This "3+3+3+3" approach refers to three state key laboratories (Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI, and the Internet of Things for Smart City), three key development directions (precision medicine symposium, advanced materials, and regional ocean research), three interdisciplinary fields (cognitive and brain science, artificial intelligence, and data science), and three humanities and social science research platforms (the Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, the Macao Research Centre and the Asia-Pacific Academy of Economics and Management).
 
Over the years, Wynn has supported the local teaching and research work of the University of Macau. In addition to making donations to enrich local educational resources, Wynn has actively participated in all kinds of activities organized by teaching and research institutions, especially in research and related work in the fields of the comprehensive tourism industry, local talent cultivation, local SME development, and moderate economic diversification. With tourism being a core part of Macau's economy, it has temporarily suffered as a result of the severe social and economic impacts brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Coming at just the right time, the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming held a "Workshop on Opportunities and Challenges in Developing Non-gaming Elements" in June. Ms. Linda Chen, Vice Chairman and Executive Director of Wynn Macau, Limited, joined this valuable event and participated in the discussion and experience sharing sessions.
 
Wynn Resorts (Macau) S.A. has supported the development of the University of Macau through the UMDF for years, including assistance for academic and research activities conducted by the Asia-Pacific Academy of Economics and Management through influential, cross-field approaches. The University of Macau will make use of its advantages in technology, finance, business, law and social sciences to establish an interdisciplinary research and exchange platform at the Asia-Pacific Academy of Economics and Management. To align with the Macau SAR Government's development orientation of "One Centre" and "One Platform", these research areas will cover financial innovation, smart tourism and the Asian economy. The University of Macau is also planning to organize forums related to financial innovation and smart tourism by the end of this year.