The Centre for Tourism and Integrated Resort Studies (CTIRS) under the Faculty of Business Administration (FBA), University of Macau (UM), recently held the Integrated Resort Career Simulation Programme (IRCSP). The programme aimed to help students learn more about the operation of integrated resorts, the responsibilities of the main departments, and the various job opportunities in the industry. The first five sessions of the experiential activities in the programme were very well received, and they were attended by over 100 students, including those from UM, Sacred Heart Canossian College (English Section), and Keang Peng School.

The programme was subsidised by the Higher Education Fund of Macao SAR and began on 17 October. In each daily session, a group of about 30 participants was divided into smaller groups to experience the work of five main departments in an integrated resort, namely front office, housekeeping, convention and exhibition, food and beverage (F&B), and gaming.

In addition, during the programme, senior executives of various integrated resorts in Macao shared their experience and insights with the participants. The five distinguished guest speakers were Mr King Wong, senior operations manager of table games at Studio City; Mr Alan Teng, assistant front operations manager of concierge/front desk at Star Tower - Studio City; Mr Kenny Wong, director of housekeeping at Studio City; Ms Almanda Leong, partner of human resources at Melco Resorts and Entertainment; and Mr Way Law, outlet manager of F&B operations and culinary at Galaxy Macau. Many students found the sharing sessions and the programme’s content inspiring and showed interest in working in an integrated resort after graduation.

The Centre for Tourism and Integrated Resort Studies aims to provide an opportunity for residents of Macao and the Greater Bay Area (especially high school and university students) to learn more about job opportunities in integrated resorts industry. Because of the overwhelming response, the centre will continue to organise experiential learning activities on a regular basis in 2021, to allow more students to gain useful information as they contemplate their career paths in order to increase their chances of finding a job in this industry or studying in related programmes.