Rui Martins, vice rector of the University of Macau (UM), attended the meeting of the Board of Administrators of the Association of Portuguese Speaking Universities (AULP) in Lisbon, Portugal, on behalf of UM. The meeting brought together representatives from ten higher education institutions across Portuguese-speaking countries and regions, which hold various roles within AULP, including president, vice presidents, and members of the Board of Administrators and Board of Supervisors. Notably, UM currently serves as one of the vice-presidents of AULP.

The meeting was chaired by José Arlindo Barreto, rector of the University of Cape Verde, which currently holds the presidency of AULP. During the meeting, Martins reported on the preparations for the 35th AULP Annual Meeting, which will take place in Macao from 15 to 17 June 2026. The event will be jointly hosted by UM, the Macao Polytechnic University (MPU), and the Macao University of Tourism (UTM) under the theme ‘International University Collaboration: Strengthening Academic and Cultural Ties between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Macao-Hengqin and the Portuguese-Speaking Countries’. This edition will mark the seventh time that AULP has held its annual meeting in Macao and will coincide with the 45th anniversary of UM and the 40th anniversary of AULP.

During the meeting, the Board of Administrators reviewed and approved AULP’s activity report and financial accounts for 2025, as well as the budget plan for 2026. The agenda also included presentations on AULP’s publications and statistical updates on exchange programmes, including the AULP Mobility Programme and various Erasmus+ initiatives.

AULP comprises more than 200 higher education institutions from Portuguese-speaking countries and regions. Its mission is to foster communication among its member institutions and promote the development of Portuguese language education. UM currently serves as vice-president of AULP for the term 2024-2027.