The University of Macau (UM) on 7 December held the Congregation 2013 on the new campus. Cheong U, secretary for social affairs and culture of Macao SAR, presided at the ceremony on behalf of Chui Sai On, chief executive of Macao SAR and chancellor of UM. Cheong U expressed his hope that UM members could seize the opportunity brought by the new campus to further improve the university in both “software” and “hardware” aspects to nurture creative, high-calibre specialists.

It was the first time UM held its congregation on the new campus. At the ceremony, PhD degrees, master’s degrees and bachelor’s degrees were presented to fresh graduates. Honorary doctorates were presented to Prof. Jiang Shusheng, Prof. Sérgio Machado dos Santos, and Prof. Yu Kwang Chung. Members of the University Assembly and the University Council, government officials, donors, scholarship sponsors, representatives from the education sector, prominent community figures, students’ parents, and UM staff members also attended the ceremony.

Cheong U expressed his hope that UM members could seize the opportunity brought by the new campus to further improve the university in both “software” and “hardware” aspects, and to continue to implement the innovative “4-in-1” mode of education (which consists of discipline-specific education, general education, research and internship education, as well as community and peer education) to nurture creative, high-calibre specialists. He mentioned that the biggest event of this year for UM was the inauguration of the Henqin new campus, saying that the new campus project was the first pilot collaborative project between Guangdong and Macao and represents a system-wise innovation. He remarked that one of the basic philosophies guiding the SAR government this year is “building a better Macao through education”, and thus the SAR government will continue to provide unreserved support to UM.     

Rector Wei Zhao noted that it was the first time the congregation was held on the new campus, which made the occasion all the more special for the graduates. He added that UM members will make good use of the new campus to significantly enhance the university’s soft strengths. He also mentioned the concrete measures geared towards this end, which include implementing the innovative “4-in-1” mode of education, opening new faculties and new disciplines for greater industrial diversity and better quality of life in Macao, launching more international-standard scientific research projects, establishing international-standard teaching and research systems, enhancing the university’s management system, engaging academic staff in governing the university, upholding academic freedom, and rewarding academic excellence.  

Prof. Jiang Shusheng, representative of this year’s honorary degree recipients, pointed out that under the leadership of the SAR government, Macao has not only enjoyed fast economic growth and social harmony and stability, but has also made marked progress in education, citing UM as the best example. He added that UM has attained impressive achievements in scientific research and educational reform over the past three decades. It has nurtured many outstanding graduates for society and is now progressing steadily towards the goal of becoming a world-class university. 

Tam Hou Kuan, a graduate of the Faculty of Science and Technology, gave a speech on behalf of all the graduates. He thanked all faculty members for their teaching, inspiration and encouragement as well as all the administrative staff for their support. He talked about the new campus, saying that the new campus provides a better environment for teaching and research, which he believes will allow the university to nurture more outstanding graduates to serve Macao, China, and beyond.

This year UM graduated more than 1,700 students through the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, the Faculty of Business Administration, the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Science and Technology, and the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences. 45 of the 1,700 students are also graduates of the Honours College. The various faculties held their respective certificate presentation ceremonies on the afternoon of the same day.


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.