Sands Institute

The Sands Institute partnered with Postdoctoral Researcher Patrick Xu at the International Gaming Institute to deliver a hands-on workshop exploring the rich cultural traditions surrounding Baccarat in China. Participants gained insight into the game’s historical and social significance across Asia, practiced the rituals and superstitions that accompany gameplay, and applied their newfound knowledge to example games.

For more events and programs, visit our website: https://www.unlv.edu/sandsinstitute/events

Baccarat: Inside Chinese Gambling Culture

The Sands Institute for Chinese Language and Culture at UNLV, in partnership with the UNLV International Gaming Institute, invites you to a hands-on lecture exploring Chinese gambling culture at the baccarat table.

Learn about the art of card squeezing, the meaning behind chants during play, and the cultural rituals that make baccarat the game of choice for Chinese gamblers worldwide. No prior gambling knowledge required!

Instructor: Dr. Tiange (Patrick) Xu, postdoctoral researcher at UNLV’s International Gaming Institute and former casino professional across Asia and the Pacific.

📅 Date & Time: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | 2–3 p.m.
📍 Location: KONAMI Gaming Laboratory, UNLV International Gaming Institute (Stan Fulton Building), 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy., Las Vegas, NV 89154

Register now: unlv.today/baccarat-register

🗣️Conversational Chinese: Speak Like a Local!
Nǐ hǎo! 你好!

Learn practical Chinese for FREE, no experience needed!
Start speaking from day one with real-life conversations.

📅 Feb 7–March 14 (Saturdays)
🕘 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
📍 UNLV MAB-2

📩 [email protected]

👉 Register today!

📸China in My Lens Photo Contest 📸
Calling all UNLV students! Share your personal perspective of China through travel, study, culture, or everyday moments. Submit up to two original photos and let your story shine.
🏆 Winners’ photos will be exhibited and honored at UNLV’s Lunar New Year Celebration!
-Deadline: January 18, 2026
-Submit via Rebelmail to [email protected]

The symposium concluded with a Synthesis Panel and Discussion that invited participants to step back and reflect on the many insights shared across the U.S.–China Engagement Dialogue and, most importantly, on how we can continue the essential work of successful people-to-people exchanges between China and the U.S.

The panel was moderated by Kate Korgan, Ph.D., Executive Vice President & Provost, UNLV, and panelists included Zhang Qi, Ph.D., Vice President, Sun Yat-sen University; Jessica Bissett, Senior Director, National Committee on U.S.-China Relations; Andy Abboud, Senior Vice President, Las Vegas Sands; and Chris Heavey, Ph.D., President, UNLV.

Following the panel, participants enjoyed a reception with music from the College of Fine Arts, delicious food, and lively conversation.

One of the final sessions at the U.S.-China Engagement Dialogue Symposium on November 14th included the panel, People-to-People Engagement Through Tourism, Sports, and Hospitality, featuring Steve Hill, CEO & President, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; David Cárdenas, Ph.D., Dean, William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, UNLV; Leif Rogers, CEO, Red Phoenix Entertainment; and Zac Hudson, EVP & Global General Counsel, Las Vegas Sands.

The afternoon sessions on November 14th kicked off with the Higher Education Cultural Exchange in Action presentations at the U.S.-China Engagement Dialogue Symposium, which highlighted the impact of immersive programs and partnerships for fostering cross-cultural learning. Presenters included Lindsey Gruber, Senior Executive Director, UNLV Global; Huajing Maske, Ph.D., Director, Sands Institute for Chinese Language and Culture at UNLV; Honghui Deng, Ph.D., Special Advisor on China Initiatives, UNLV; Min Fan, Executive Director, U.S. Heartland China Association; and John Flower, Ph.D., Founder, China Folk House Retreat.

Following the morning panels on November 14th, the U.S.-China Engagement Dialogue Symposium highlighted a Student Experience Panel to share perspectives from students and scholars. Robert Futrell, Ph.D., Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts, moderated and panelists included Victor Lagunas, UNLV Sands Scholar; Bea Verry and Giovanni Nunez, Beijing Normal University study abroad participants; and UNLV Sands Scholars Jorge Ruvalcaba, Sun Yat-Sen and Wynn Macau participant; and Li Ao, UNLV Global Ambassador. The student panelists shared insights on study abroad, cultural exchange, and international student experiences.

On November 14th, at the U.S. China Engagement Dialogue Symposium, the morning began with Healing Across Borders, a panel on U.S.–China collaboration in public health and cancer research. Alison Netski, MD, Interim Dean, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, UNLV, moderated, and panelists included Roberta Lipson, Founder of United Family Healthcare; Denis Simon, Ph.D., Visiting Professor, Duke University; and Jay Shen, Ph.D., Professor and Associate Dean, School of Public Health, UNLV.

Next, the Education as Diplomacy panel explored durable institutional partnerships between the U.S. and China. Jennifer Keene, Ph.D., Dean, College of Liberal Arts, UNLV, moderated the session, and the panelists included Elizabeth Knup, Senior Fellow, Asia Society Policy Institute; Yingyi Ma, Ph.D., Professor, Syracuse University; and Honghui Deng, Ph.D., Professor, UNLV Lee Business School.

It was an inspiring day and a half at the U.S.–China Engagement Dialogue Symposium at UNLV. Over the next five posts, we’ll highlight the incredible presenters and panel sessions where global leaders shared their expertise.

The opening session featured Chris Heavey, Ph.D., President of UNLV, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen, U.S. Representative Dina Titus, Xie Feng, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, David Perdue, U.S. Ambassador to China, and Rob Goldstein, Chairman & CEO of Las Vegas Sands, with Kate Korgan, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Provost of UNLV, serving as Master of Ceremonies.

Attendees were welcomed to a full day of dialogue and collaboration, focused on strengthening U.S.–China people-to-people ties, education, and global partnerships.

On the evening of November 13, UNLV and the Las Vegas Sands kicked off the U.S.-China Engagement Symposium with an opening session that brought together leaders from academia, business, and diplomacy to set the stage for meaningful dialogue.

Organized by the Las Vegas Sands, Sands Institute for Chinese Language and Culture at UNLV, UNLV, and the US Chamber of Commerce, with Partners at the US-China Business Council, Vegas Chamber, and , the welcome event was presided by Provost Kate Korgan and moderated by President Chris Heavey.

Speakers included Rob Goldstein, Chairman & CEO, Las Vegas Sands, Zhang Jianmin, Chinese Consul General, San Francisco, Charles Freeman, SVP Asia, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Sean Stein, President, US-China Business Council.

The evening emphasized collaboration, shared goals, and the importance of people-to-people and institutional connections between the U.S. and China.