The Integrated Resort Career Simulation Programme (IRCSP), organised by the Centre for Tourism and Integrated Resort Studies under the University of Macau (UM) Faculty of Business Administration, has been well received since its launch in 2020. This year, the centre has arranged a number of experiential activities in collaboration with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, so that more students could receive useful information to aid their career planning and enhance their chances of finding a job in related industries or pursuing related courses.

The first four sessions of the experiential activities were very well received, attracting more than 100 students from different schools, including Yuet Wah College Macau, Santa Rosa de Lima English Secondary School, Colégio Diocesano de São José (5ª), and Pui Ching Middle School Macau. Students experienced what it was like to work in the integrated resort industry in the simulated departments set up by UM and interacted with senior executives from major resorts in the Greater Bay Area and Macao. Many students were satisfied with the experience, found it very rewarding, and expressed interest in pursuing a career in the integrated resort industry upon graduation.

This year, the centre invited Tang Wai Leung, vice president of Zhuhai Long Zhu Da Group; Mr Aaron Glade, director of attractions and entertainment operations at Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited; and Mr Xino Wu, manager of food and beverage operations at The Londoner Macao, to share their knowledge and experience of the industry in the Greater Bay Area and Macao. Tang discussed the opportunities and development of the Greater Bay Area and encouraged students to seek career opportunities in the area. Glade shared his experience of coordinating entertainment facilities and provided general information about the soon-to-be-opened City of Dreams Water Park. Wu shared his experience in restaurant operations and his customer-first service philosophy.

The centre launched the Integrated Resort Career Simulation Programme in 2020, with the aim of providing students who wish to pursue a career in the integrated resort industry in Macao or the Greater Bay Area, particularly high school and college students, with an early understanding of the overall operation of integrated resorts, the various job opportunities, and the work involved in the main departments. The programme is supported by the Macao SAR government’s Higher Education Fund. The first session of this year’s programme began in April, with about 30 participants in each session working in small groups in the five main departments of the integrated resort, including the front lobby, guest rooms, convention and exhibition, food and beverage, and the casino.