Sands China and UTM Sign MOU at Co-Hosted Symposium
Launching new Sands China Western Culinary Elite Programme to fund training in France Deepening industry-academia-research collaboration and talent development
(Macao, Nov 25, 2025) – Sands China Ltd. and the Macao University of Tourism (UTM) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Tuesday at The Londoner Macao®, introducing the new two-year Sands China Western Culinary Elite Programme. The initiative, which includes an eight-week training at the internationally renowned École Ducasse in France, aims to cultivate Western culinary talent and further strengthen collaboration between industry, academia, and research.
The new Sands China Western Culinary Elite Programme, which utilises a “hire and train” model, is primarily targeted at top graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts Management at UTM. Programme participants gain knowledge of international culinary culture and professional standards during their 24-month training, which covers academic theory, professional certification, and hands-on training at integrated resorts. Upon completion, they will be offered Cook I positions at Sands China.
Following the MOU signing, Sands China and UTM jointly held an Innovative Hospitality Management symposium, which explored the application and prospects of technologies, such as artificial intelligence in the hospitality industry. University experts and scholars, Sands China management, and industry representatives were invited to share their insights to inject new momentum into the sector’s sustainable development.
“Talent development is not only a key to a corporation’s sustainable development, but also an essential part of Sands China’s corporate social responsibility,” said Grant Chum, chief executive officer and executive director of Sands China Ltd. “We have therefore consistently launched diverse talent development programmes with various institutions. UTM is our long-serving partner, and we are delighted to sign an MOU with them to launch the Sands China Western Culinary Elite Programme, with the aim of combining our respective strengths in industry resources and academic expertise. By supporting young local culinary talents’ studies at France’s internationally renowned École Ducasse, we hope they can enhance their skills and broaden their international perspectives, thereby enriching Macao’s talent pool. Additionally, we are aiming to deepen industry-academia exchange with a symposium, hoping to empower the sustainable development of the hospitality industry through technology, strengthening the competitiveness of Macao’s tourism sector.”
Dr. Fanny Vong, rector of the Macao University of Tourism, said: “University education should go hand in hand with the needs of industry. Through this new partnership, our graduates will gain hands-on training at integrated resorts, while overseas study will broaden their cross-cultural horizons, further supporting the long-term growth of Macao’s tourism sector.”
The Innovative Hospitality Management symposium began with an opening ceremony themed “Hospitality Reimagined: Innovation and Technology with a Heartbeat.” The symposium featured three panel discussions, focusing on hospitality and the latest technology, using AI and robotics in the hospitality industry, and the latest innovations for meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Each panel discussion was moderated by scholars from UTM, with university’s experts, Sands China management, and industry representatives sharing insights and discussing the future development of Macao’s hotel industry under technology empowerment.
Other attendees joining Chum and Vong at the event included Chan Un Tong, director of the Labour Affairs Bureau; Jennifer Si Tou, deputy director of the Macao Government Tourism Office; Astrid Cheung, head of the Vocational Training Department of the Labour Affairs Bureau; Mark Wang, general manager of solutions of Tencent Travel and Retail Industries; Jacinta Ho, president of the Macau Greater Bay Area Human Resources Association; Andy Law, sustainability partner of Deloitte China; Jocelyn Wong, chairman of the Macau Hotel Association; faculty members and students of UTM; and Sands China team members.
Sands China and UTM previously co-hosted an academic symposium and signed an MOU in 2023, focused on MICE development. Over the years, they have maintained close collaboration in student internships and talent cultivation. In May and June this year, 14 faculty members from the university participated in Sands China’s Immersive Industry Experience Programme, gaining firsthand insight into resort operations and engaging with company management to promote deeper integration of teaching and industry practice.
Photo caption: Sands China Ltd. and the Macao University of Tourism (UTM) sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Tuesday at The Londoner Macao, introducing the new two-year Sands China Western Culinary Elite Programme. The initiative, which includes an eight-week training at the internationally renowned École Ducasse in France, aims to cultivate Western culinary talent and further strengthen collaboration between industry, academia, and research.
Photo caption: Grant Chum (right), chief executive officer and executive director of Sands China Ltd. and Dr. Fanny Vong (left), rector of the Macao University of Tourism signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Tuesday at The Londoner Macao, introducing the new two-year Sands China Western Culinary Elite Programme and further deepen industry-academia-research cooperation and talent cultivation.
Photo caption: Following the MOU signing, Sands China and UTM jointly held an Innovative Hospitality Management symposium Tuesday, beginning with an opening ceremony themed “Hospitality Reimagined: Innovation and Technology with a Heartbeat.”
Left to right: Andy Law, sustainability partner of Deloitte China; Jacinta Ho, president of the Macau Greater Bay Area Human Resources Association; Jennifer Si Tou, deputy director of the Macao Government Tourism Office;Dr. Fanny Vong, rector of the Macao University of Tourism; Grant Chum, chief executive officer and executive director of Sands China Ltd.; Chan Un Tong, director of the Labour Affairs Bureau; Mark Wang, general manager of solutions of Tencent Travel and Retail Industries; Jocelyn Wong, chairman of the Macau Hotel Association
Photo caption: Following the MOU signing, Sands China and UTM jointly hold an Innovative Hospitality Management symposium moderated by scholars from UTM, with university’s experts, Sands China management, and industry representatives. In one of the panel discussions, they shared insights and discussed the usage of AI and robotics in the hospitality industry.