The University of Macau (UM) today (21 June) held the Congregation 2014, which was attended by more than 1,000 graduates. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of Macao SAR Cheong U, who was attending the congregation on behalf of the chief executive and UM’s chancellor, noted in his speech, “As an important university in Macao, UM plays a pivotal role in the advancement of local higher education.” He added: “the government of the Macao SAR will, as always, support UM– which is now progressing along the right track – to scale new heights.”

The congregation was held in the Sports Complex on UM’s new campus. More than 1,400 graduating students received bachelor’s degrees at the ceremony, among them 37 outstanding graduates from different faculties also received the Certificate of the Honours College. “The Macao government attaches great importance to the development and enhancement of higher education in Macao,” said Secretary Cheong. “Thanks to strong support from the central government, the new campus of the University of Macau is finally completed and now in full operation. On the other hand, the university is undergoing educational and governance reforms. All these measures – hardware building and optimizations in different aspects – are putting the university in a much better position to achieve its objective of becoming a first-class university and nurturing talented people for Macao.”

Secretary Cheong stressed, “We are aware that if we want to boost Macao’s competitiveness, speed up its economic diversification and make our community thrive, we have to do more in education and the talent nurturing business. For these purposes, it is important that we institute a long-term and effective mechanism. And for these purposes, we need to refine the education system of Macao structurally and gradually, especially that of higher education. As an important university in Macao, the University of Macau plays a pivotal role in the advancement of local higher education. Therefore, the government of the Macao SAR will, as always, support the University of Macau – which is now progressing along the right track – to scale new heights.” Towards the end of his speech, he offered words of encouragement to the graduates, “I’m sure that you will always cherish in your memory the wonderful times you had with UM, the support from our society and the care that your family gave you. Use UM’s motto of ‘humanity, integrity, propriety, wisdom and sincerity’ to guide yourself in your future life journey no matter where you will be and what you will be doing. Keep learning and learn to be committed. In doing so, you’ll certainly make your family, your society and your Alma Mater proud of you!”

UM Rector Wei Zhao noted, “Now that we have firm footing on our way to a first-rate infrastructure, it is time for us to focus our efforts to further elevate the university. To that end, the university, under the leadership of the SAR government, is carrying out its governance reform. The purpose of the reform is twofold: On the one hand, through this reform, the university will be able to better meet the expectations and requirements set by the SAR government and local community in alignment with the public interest and in observation of the principle of academic integrity and justice.” He added that UM will also strive to increase its competitiveness, pursue excellence in “academic, research and the provision of community services”, and become a “more responsible, accountable, cost-effective and accomplished institution”. Rector Wei Zhao also offered words of encouragement to the graduates, “Embrace your future with passionate curiosity, overcome any fear of failures you may face, and never pass up any challenge or learning opportunity that presents itself.”

Student representative Chu Ka Sin expressed gratitude to UM for the “4-in-1” model of education, for the good learning environment, and for the various exchange opportunities, all of which well prepared her and her fellow students for future challenges. “Once upon a time, we were a rye seed sown on the fertile farm of UM,” she said. “Thereupon we sprouted, we grew, we thrived with our teachers as farmers cultivating us.”

The Graduation Committee of this year and the Student Affairs Office organised a sale of the 2014 commemorative T-shirts as well as a fundraiser. The proceeds will be used to make a sculpture for the university as a token of the graduates’ gratitude to their alma mater. This will be the first sculpture made by UM graduates, and it will stand on the new campus to witness the university’s future development. Other guests at the congregation included government officials, members of UM’s University Assembly and University Council, donors, scholarship sponsors, representatives from the education sector, prominent figures of the community, graduates’ parents, alumni, and UM staff.


Should you have any enquiries about the press release, please feel free to contact Ms. Albee Lei or Ms. Kristy Fok at（853）8397 4325 or prs.media@um.edu.mo or visit UM webpage www.umac.mo.