HIGHER EDUCATION:

UNLV Singapore campus graduates first class

University hopes it will be first of several international campuses

Saturday, June 6, 2009 | 11 p.m.

Regents give go-ahead to explore UNLV campus in U.A.E. (4-4-2008)
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UNLV's Singapore campus

The first graduates from the new UNLV Singapore received their degrees Saturday, marking what university officials call a major milestone for UNLV's first international campus.

“It has been an amazing experience to see the internationalization of UNLV’s hotel college and to provide quality hospitality education in an area where it was not readily available,” Andy Nazarechuk, dean of UNLV Singapore, said in prepared remarks Saturday.

“The hospitality industry in Singapore is expanding quickly and Southeast Asia is becoming a more sophisticated travel destination," Nazarechuck said. "As the hospitality industry here continues to grow, so will UNLV Singapore.”

Forty one students received their degrees Saturday from UNLV Singapore, which is the first step in the university's effort to create a global network of campuses that can deliver UNLV’s world-renowned brand of hospitality management education.

UNLV is currently in discussion with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to become the anchor tenant of a new 100-acre hospitality education campus in the emirate of Ras al Khaimah, located approximately 60 miles north of Dubai.

During Saturday's ceremony, UNLV President David B. Ashley conferred 34 bachelor’s degrees in hotel administration and seven executive master’s degrees in hospitality administration.

The 12,000 square-foot campus, which opened in August 2006, is housed on the 10th and 11th floors of the National Library of Singapore.

More than 200 students are now enrolled in UNLV Singapore's undergraduate and graduate programs. The campus is expected to reach its capacity by the end of the year.

Discussion: 4 comments so far…

By LightPal

6/7/09 at 12:31 a.m.

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Given the budget crisis going on here, how can this be justified at all?!?!?!?
By vegasd8

6/7/09 at 7:25 a.m.

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Congratulations to Dr. Andy, on running a self sustaining (actually profitable, I believe), well respected educational institution in Singapore.
By Rebel_Fan

6/7/09 at 8:46 p.m.

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To LightPal:

Because it makes money.
By newsjunky

6/8/09 at 2:25 p.m.

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The more global UNLV campuses they establish..the more Dr. Ashley and crew can travel free on the taxpayer buck to hand out diplomas.