Prof Li Tianqing, former rector of the University of Macau (UM), has passed away at the age of 98. The university would like to offer the deepest sympathies and has sent a condolence letter to the family of Prof Li.

Prof Li devoted his life to physics research and higher education and held senior positions at different universities, including Sun Yat-sen University, Jinan University, and Shenzhen University. He joined the University of East Asia, the predecessor of UM, as vice rector in December 1988, at a critical stage in the university's transformation from a private university to a public institution. He was appointed rector of the university in 1992 and served in this position until his retirement in 1994.

During his term as rector of UM, Prof Li set the objective to restructure and develop as the university’s top priority. He led the university in implementing its various initiatives, including recruiting more local students, establishing new faculties and departments, and launching new courses. These initiatives contributed to the rapid development of UM into an internationalised public university that would serve the local community and provide training for practitioners of various sectors during the transitional period leading up to Macao’s handover and beyond. A lifelong devotee of education, Prof Li was an outstanding educator highly respected by his peers and the young generation.

The memorial service for Prof Li will be held on 4 December 2021 (Saturday) at 3:00pm in the Casa Funerária Kiang Wu.