Wynn Resorts bets on Africa’s brightest with Macau Scholarship boost
The casino operator is offering 30 annual scholarships for Master’s students from Portuguese-speaking regions, with a strong focus on African countries like Mozambique and Angola.
Mozambique.- Global casino operator Wynn Resorts is placing a bold bet on Africa’s future leaders and it’s doing so from the gambling capital, Macau. The operator this week announced that 30 annual Master’s Scholarships were created at the University of Science and Technology of Macau (MUST).
It is primarily for students from Portuguese-speaking countries, including Mozambique, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Guinea-Bissau and Cabo Verde. But it also extends to students from China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The scholarships, according to university dean Joseph Lee Hun-wei, will play a vital role in turning Macau into a vibrant hub of global education.
“These scholarships will significantly contribute to attracting students from Portuguese-speaking countries (…) to continue their studies,” Lee reportedly said.
“After completing their studies, they will return to their homeland with the experiences they have gained in Macau, becoming cultural ambassadors who can tell the stories of China and Macau.”
The program was formalised at a signing ceremony between Lee and Wynn Resorts President Linda Chen, witnessed by Director of Education and Youth Development Kong Chi Meng.
The announcement comes a few months after Chinese President Xi Jinping urged Macau to “strengthen ties with higher education institutions in Portuguese-language countries.”
Wynn’s move is also part of a broader push to diversify Macau’s economy beyond gambling. In 2022, the region’s six casino operators committed to investing €12bn in tourism and economic development over a 10-year concession period.
For African students with dreams of academic excellence and global impact, Macau may now be the jackpot they didn’t see coming.
