The University of Macau (UM) today (3 September) welcomed more than 3,000 new undergraduate and postgraduate students at the convocation ceremony for the 2020/2021 academic year. UM Rector Yonghua Song took the opportunity to give new students their first lecture at the university. Because of the epidemic, this year’s ceremony was simultaneously broadcast online. 300 student, faculty, and staff representatives attended the ceremony, while other students watched the event online.

According to Rector Song, education at UM is not just about acquiring new knowledge and skills; it is also about learning to become a better person. The university’s motto, ‘humanity, integrity, propriety, wisdom, and sincerity’, represents the five traditional virtues of Chinese people and the essence of Chinese culture. These are also essential virtues for one to acquire in order to become a better person. Rector Song expressed hope that UM students would always bear these five virtues in mind as they study, live, and work with others. 

In recent years, UM has formulated a ‘3+3+3+3’ research blueprint that covers the fields of science and technology as well as humanities and social sciences, and has actively contributed to the development of the Greater Bay Area. The university has been working with other educational institutions and enterprises in the region to nurture talent, through creating an industry-academia collaboration base in Hengqin, and promoting technology transfer. On the global front, the university has been actively establishing partnerships with world-class universities and academic institutions both in China and abroad, launching joint degree programmes, and setting up joint key laboratories and national research platforms. All these measures aim to enhance UM’s educational and international competitiveness, as well as to make the higher education system of Macao more diversified and competitive.

Rector Song also advised new undergraduate students to use their time productively, plan ahead in their studies, make full use of the university’s resources, and actively participate in activities and exchange programmes. For new postgraduate students, Rector Song encouraged them to improve their analytical skills, assume greater responsibility, become more self-reliant, enjoy the process of research, and reach their full potential. Finally, he expressed hope that the students would enjoy their university life.

During the ceremony, the university presented UM breast pins to new students. The breast pin symbolises the university’s expectations for new students and the hope that they will enjoy their university life. Rector Song also presented certificates to students with outstanding academic performance who are on the Rector’s Honour List to recognise their efforts and to encourage them to continue to study diligently. In addition, an award for the ‘Most Supportive Residential College for the University of Macau National Flag Team’ was presented for the first time, to encourage UM members to love China and Macao. Before the convocation ceremony, UM held a flag-raising ceremony that was also simultaneously broadcast online.

The new academic year at UM will begin on Monday 7 September. In order to help new students adapt to a new life on campus, UM will organise a series of online and offline orientation activities starting September. Faculty deans and college masters will also give talks to new students.

Source: Communications Office

Media Contact Information:Communications Office, University of Macau

Albee Lei     Tel：(853) 88228004Judite Lam  Tel：(853) 88228022Email：prs.media@um.edu.moUM Website：www.um.edu.mo