Macao SAR Chief Executive Chui Sai On and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso recently attended a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the agreement on trade and economic cooperation between the European Union (EU) and Macao. The University of Macau (UM), coordinator of the European Union Academic Programme (EUAP), was invited by the EU’s representative in Hong Kong and Macao to attend the celebration.

During the meeting, Dr. José Manuel Barroso and UM’s Vice Rector (Research) Prof. Rui Martins discussed the EU-related activities UM has carried out over the past 20 years. Prof. Martins also mentioned that under the EUAP, several activities are taking place in the areas of law and social sciences, with exchange of students and academic staff, as well as the fact that an outreach activities programme has been developed in order to promote EU in the region. Besides, every year over the past 20 years, approximately 100 students come to Macao or go to the Europe to study for one semester. Prof. Martins also mentioned the Jean Monnet Chair and Module in the Faculty of Law, which are both the first of its kind in the region.

Dr. Barroso mentioned in his speech that the EUAP has achieved very good results since it was launched in January 2013. He made special mention of an activity called “EU Model” which would take place in the Senate’s Room on the new campus. During the activity, students would simulate the operation of the European Union Council. Dr. Barroso said he hoped the students could play his role well, because it is a very difficult position that involves long hours of negotiation with representatives of EU’s member countries.

EUAP is the largest and most extensive programme supported by the EU in Macao, involving an amount of € 1.3 million shared between EU, UM, and the Institute of European Studies in Macau. It includes numerous activities in the areas of social sciences, law, and outreach activities, for a period of four years.


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.