International gaming corporation donates $1 million

September 2, 2010 by Kendle Walters 

Gift to help gaming management students make connections

Students in UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration may soon be rubbing shoulders with gaming industry professionals more often, thanks to help from an international leader in the field.

The KONAMI Corporation, an international gaming systems company, announced a $1 million donation to the school on Monday.

”KONAMI has become a valued partner in maintaining high-quality academic programs and student support in our hotel college,” UNLV President Neal Smatresk said in a statement.

In continuation of the company’s educational goals, the gift aims to benefit the professional development of gaming management students.

“We are deeply grateful for the generosity and support of KONAMI with this focused investment in our gaming management program — including the formation of a scholarship endowment that will benefit students in perpetuity,” Smatresk said.

Some of the most immediate effects of the donation will be seen in benefits to individual students.

“This [gift] will help students be able to attend different industry conferences such as the Global Gaming Expo or the National Indian Gaming Association,” said UNLV Public Affairs Specialist Afsha Bawany.

Planners hope the partnership between KONAMI and UNLV will create opportunities for networking between students and industry professionals.

Judy Nagai, director of external affairs for the college, said the donation was motivated by the company’s desire to give back to local education.

“I was lucky enough to work with KONAMI on this project. Their founder, Kagemasa Kozuki, really believes in education and supporting UNLV,” Nagai said.

In recognition of the company’s partnership, the gaming lab located in the UNLV Stan Fulton Building will be formally re-named the KONAMI Gaming Laboratory.

The donation will be divvied up to fund hotel college programs, student scholarships and the UNLV Foundation.
An amount of $450,000 is allocated for use at the discretion of the hotel college and is expected be used to advance academic and professional programs.

“What’s really amazing about this gift is that the donor wants us to use it where it will impact students the most,” Nagai said.

“The dean has the authority to spend it where it is needed the most,” she said. “The goal is that it gives us some flexibility.”

In addition, $500,000 is set aside to support an endowment to help gaming management students to pursue professional opportunities.

“This fund will exist well beyond our lifetime,” Nagai said. “It will continue to work for future students.”

Nagai explained that this portion of the funds will be used to help provide students with the flexibility they need to attend industry events such as conventions, conferences and tradeshows.

The UNLV Foundation will receive $50,000 of the gift to fund a five-year membership in the Academic Corporate Council (ACC) annual giving program.

The ACC facilitates yearly financial donations from corporations to educational institutions.

“This area is the fundraising arm of the university,” Nagai said. “It’s a recognition area.”

But Nagai maintained that individuals will be the most important beneficiaries of the project.

“Our students are going to be so excited,” she said. “It’s a fun opportunity for us.”

Konami Gaming, Inc. is a Las Vegas-based subsidiary of the KONAMI Corporation. The company is a leading provider of slot machines and casino management systems for the global gaming market.