Gaming technology testing service and consultancy Gaming Laboratories International LLC, known as GLI, has linked with gaming industry trade body the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM), to form what they describe as a “philanthropic initiative”.
The first gift under the “Lasting Impact Philanthropic Initiative” is US$500,000 for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), College of Engineering’s building fund, according to a Tuesday press release issued on behalf of GLI and AGEM.
The college, known as the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering, after the well-known businessman and philanthropist who lived for a decade in Las Vegas, is developing a 51,000-square-foot (4,738-sq-metre), three-floor building on campus, to accommodate the approximately 260 bachelor of science; 50 master of science; and 20 PhD engineering graduates studying there each year. The new building is also designed to cater for future growth in student numbers.
James Maida (pictured right), president and chief executive of GLI, said in a prepared statement contained in Tuesday’s press release: “Given the highly-technical nature of today’s gaming industry, a vibrant and thriving engineering community is crucial to our mutual success…”
Mr Maida added: “That is why it was important that this first gift went to UNLV’s College of Engineering, to further solidify a pipeline of talent that will help to ensure the industry’s future success.”
GLI, a company expert in technology and business trends in the Asia-Pacific casino sector as well as globally in gaming markets, has been in business for three decades.
Marcus Prater (pictured left), AGEM’s executive director, was quoted as saying in the release: “AGEM is proud to be working with GLI on this unique giving programme that will benefit many different audiences…”
AGEM is a non-profit international trade association representing many of the major casino equipment makers serving Asia-Pacific markets.
Rama Venkat (pictured centre), Dean of the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering, was also cited in the release as stating: “The new Advanced Engineering Studies Building will facilitate critical research, foster innovation, and pave the way for the vision we all share for Nevada’s future of a robust tech-based economy.”
