Forum for Presidents of Higher Education Institutions of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries opens at UM to discuss development of Portuguese language

The 3rd Forum for Presidents of Higher Education Institutions of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries commenced with an opening ceremony today (30 October) at the University of Macau (UM). Yonghua Song, rector of UM, said that as the largest hub for Portuguese language education outside Portugal and Brazil, UM has trained a significant number of Chinese-Portuguese bilingual talent, as well as legal professionals in Portuguese law. In addition, the university has enhanced students’ professional skills through international exchange programmes.

The forum is co-organised by the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, UM, and other members of the Alliance for Cultivating Chinese-Portuguese Bilingual Talents. Themed ‘The Portuguese Language in China—From Macao and the Greater Bay Area’, the forum has brought together university leaders, experts, and scholars from China and Portuguese-speaking countries to discuss the importance of the Portuguese language in education, culture, and technology in the context of globalisation.

Yonghua Song, rector of UM, said in his speech that with the rapid economic growth of Portuguese-speaking countries, the importance of the Portuguese language in global trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange has become increasingly important. As Macao serves as a bridge for exchanges and cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, the training of Chinese-Portuguese bilingual talent with a global mindset is of great significance for the development of Macao and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. He added that UM provides students with exchange and internship opportunities in Portuguese-speaking countries to enhance their professional skills and international outlook.

Rui Martins, vice rector of UM and vice president of the Association of Portuguese Speaking Universities (AULP), noted in his keynote speech that Portuguese education is gaining increasing attention in mainland China. Over the years, UM’s Department of Portuguese and Faculty of Law have produced many outstanding graduates who have made significant contributions and achieved remarkable success in academia, government, and the private sector. He also mentioned UM’s pioneering role in the development of a Chinese-Portuguese machine translation system and its contributions to bilingual communication and research.

During the forum, Rector Song and Maria das Dores Guerreiro, vice rector of the ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon, signed a student exchange agreement on behalf of their respective institutions. In addition, the Henrique de Senna Fernandes Academic Prize for the Best Portuguese Thesis was presented to outstanding UM postgraduate students in recognition of their contributions to Portuguese academic research.