Marina Bay Sands President and CEO, Mr Thomas Arasi will be speaking on “Marina Bay Sands: The New, Next Level” at a Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management’s (CNI) event on 18 September 2010 in Singapore. The talk is in conjunction with an information session on CNI’s Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) program at the Grand Hyatt Singapore from 3 pm to 5 pm.

Dr Russell Arthur Smith, CNI’s Interim Dean said: “CNI is privileged to have Mr Thomas Arasi, who is a graduate from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Arts in hotel and restaurant, to share on how the Marina Bay Sands team strives to take the customer experience to the new, next level each and every single day. Since it was officially opened in June 2010, the integrated resort has played a significant role in attracting vast numbers of tourists to Singapore and numerous Singapore residents to its many world-class facilities. This is a wonderful opportunity for those interested in the hospitality industry to come and learn firsthand what a Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration graduate has accomplished and also an excellent opportunity to learn about the MMH program. The program aims to develop leaders, managers and entrepreneurs for the hospitality and tourism industry. Since the MMH program expanded to Asia in 2006, a total of 84 CNI graduates have completed the MMH courses successfully.”

Mr Arasi became the first President and CEO of Marina Bay Sands Pte Ltd in August 2009, overseeing every aspect of the premier integrated resort. With more than two decades of experience in hospitality operations, branding and real estate development, he brings expertise in management and oversight of large and complex hospitality projects and deep organisational leadership experience to Marina Bay Sands. Officially opened in June 2010, Marina Bay Sands aims to be one of Asia’s leading business, leisure and entertainment destinations in Asia. It features large and flexible convention and exhibition facilities; 2,561 hotel rooms and suites; the rooftop Sands SkyPark; a museum; the best shopping mall in Asia; world-class celebrity chef restaurants; a casino; Paiza Club for premium players; an outdoor event plaza and theaters, which will debut with “The Lion King.”

Master of Management in Hospitality Program

The talk will be followed by an introduction to the CNI’s MMH program by Dr Smith. The MMH is a one-year postgraduate degree equivalent to a Master of Business Administration and is specialized in the hospitality industry. MMH students spend six months in Singapore with the Nanyang Business School and six months at the Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration in Ithaca, New York, USA.

Two graduates shared their experiences in pursuing their MMH. Ms Yuriiki Liu (MMH 2010), revenue analyst at Marina Bay Sands shared: “I was in the revenue management and operations tracks, which were extremely valuable in providing me with sufficient knowledge and insight in my current job, considering this is a career switch for me and it was a totally new subject. The yield management, operations and advanced business modeling classes also gave me a head start in making me proficient, which is a necessity in my current job. The strong network, numerous guest lectures and visits to various properties gave me an insight into the hospitality industry and also help me in establishing valuable networks.”

Mr Brian Tan (MMH 2009), operations analyst at Fairmont Singapore said: “I selected MMH over other programs because of the Cornell brand and its hospitality strength, which helps me cross over to the hospitality industry with easy access and at a very good level. The CNI experience provided me with both Asian and North American education and exposure, a solid education and great networking. The program has benefited me in two ways. First, I developed capabilities and acquired thinking skills and tools that prove to be highly relevant to my job. I often have to call upon my classroom learning in marketing, operations management, financial modeling and real estate concepts to enhance my work as an operations analyst. Second, the MMH program enabled me to tap into a large network of high-profile Cornell alumni. In fact, my present job was secured through a Cornell alumni working at Fairmont Singapore. I am also able to reach out to Cornell industry executives to seek their advice and expert opinions on matters pertaining to my job."

About Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management | The Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management is the premier hospitality management institute, and a partnership between the world’s leading hotel management school - Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and one of Asia’s elite business schools - Nanyang Technological University’s Nanyang Business School.

Cornell University is the only Ivy League university to offer bachelor, master and PhD programs in hospitality management. The Nanyang Business School is a premier business school ranked number one in Singapore and number three in Asia and whose Master in Business Administration is in the top 27 in the world by the Financial Times 2010 Global MBA Rankings. CNI won the Hospitality Excellence Award 2010 at the China Hotel Investment Conference (CHIC) in Shanghai in May 2010.

Strategically located in Singapore, CNI is positioned to develop leaders, managers and entrepreneurs for the Asian hospitality and tourism industry. It offers hospitality education programs designed to alleviate the shortage of qualified talent that is currently plaguing the hospitality industry in Asia Pacific.

Fan Alei, Aileen (CNI)
Director of Marketing
+65-6790 5800
CNI