The University of Macau (UM) held two Town Hall Meetings on 13 March and 14 March. UM’s top management, including Rector Wei Zhao, Vice Rector (Research) Rui Martins, Vice Rector (Student Affairs) Haydn Chen, and Vice Rector (Administration) Alex Lai attended the Town Hall Meetings to discuss with nearly 400 faculty members and administrative staff the latest arrangements concerning university affairs, including the new research grant policy, application for joining the residential colleges, the new campus trial operation plan, and the new campus relocation plan. Participants’ comments and suggestions about other matters including course and graduation ceremony schedules for the new academic year were also heard at the meetings.

To enhance research and academic development, UM’s top management elaborated on the latest research grant policy aimed at enabling greater flexibility in the allocation of research funding. Participants also discussed the course and graduation ceremony schedules for the new academic year. Rector Wei Zhao noted that if the new campus is put into operation in this autumn as scheduled, courses for the 2013/2014 academic year will start between 26 August and 3 October, and the graducation ceremony will be postponed until October or November. In regards with the new campus relocation plan and staff accommodation arrangements, it is said at the meetings that the most up-to-date arrangements will be announced in May. It was also disclosed at the meetings that up to the meeting day a total of 2,299 applications from current undergraduate students and 201 applications from current postgraduate students had been received, showing how much students look forward to living at the residential colleges.


Should you have any inquiries about the press release, please feel free to contact Ms. Veronica Tang at（853）8397 4323 or prs.media@um.edu.mo or visit UM webpage www.umac.mo.