The University of Macau’s (UM) Class of 2015 graduates today (30 May) planted a flame tree on the Alumni Avenue on the new campus, to express their gratitude to the alma mater. This is the first time UM graduates have planted a tree on the new campus as a present for the alma mater.

‘Today is an important day in UM’s history,’ said UM Rector Wei Zhao at the tree-planting ceremony. ‘It is the first time that our graduates have planted a tree on the campus, and from now on, the flame tree will grow together with UM and our graduates.’ Rector Zhao thanked the Class of 2015 graduates for collectively donating a tree to their alma mater before graduation, saying that it is a precious present from the graduates to UM’s current and future students.

‘Educating people has often been likened to planting trees,’ said Celia Leong, one of this year’s graduates. ‘This is our gesture of expressing our gratitude to our alma mater for helping us grow in so many ways. It is also our little parting gift to future students, because when the tree grows up, it will provide shade for them.’

Iu Ieng Kit, president of the Graduation Committee, said that the graduates chose May, the flowering season of flame trees, to plant a tree for the alma mater, because they hope that all the graduates will remain in touch as they begin a new chapter of their lives after graduation.

Guests attending the tree-planting ceremony included Rector Wei Zhao, Vice Rector for Student Affairs Haydn Chen, Registrar Paul Pang, Alumni and Development Office Director Vong Peng Chun, Communications Office Director Katrina Cheong, and acting Dean of Students Chau Kwai Chee.