The University of Macau (UM) yesterday (16 June) held the Joint Meeting of the University Assembly (UA) and University Council (UC) for the 2015/2016 academic year in its Ho Yin Conference Hall. Dr Chui Sai On, chief executive of the Macao SAR, chancellor of UM, and chair of the UA, presided over the meeting. Dr Chui said as a main public university in Macao, UM has the responsibility of producing exemplary graduates and introducing talent to the city. He expressed hope that UM will use its strengths to attract overseas-educated Macao residents to return to Macao and serve the needs of UM and the local community.
At the meeting, Dr Chui first thanked UA and UC members for their contributions to the development of UM over the past year. He said that the university continued to make progress in academic and research activities in recent years and has gained increasing recognition and influence, with significant enhancement on its hardware and software. Dr Chui hopes that the university will use its various strengths to attract overseas-educated Macao residents to return to Macao and serve the needs of UM and the local community, in accordance with the SAR government’s talent development policy. Dr Chui added that UM’s 35th anniversary is a new starting point for the university to continue to make innovations, to strengthen communication and interaction with the local community, and to assist the government in achieving the goal of developing Macao into a service platform for economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries and a world tourism and leisure centre. Lastly, he hopes the university’s overall development will effectively increase Macao’s international competitiveness in higher education and will meet the needs of society in its future development.
UC Chair Dr Lam Kam Seng reported the UC’s work in the 2015/2016 academic year. He said that in the past year the UC strengthened communication with internal and external stakeholders, so that the university can better serve the needs of society. Dr Lam added that the UC will continue to support the development of the university, to attract overseas-educated Macao talent to advance their careers in Macao, and to continue to enhance university governance.
UM Rector Wei Zhao reported the latest developments of the university. He said that UM attained many achievements in academic affairs, research, and student development, and expressed hope that in the new academic year the university will continue to enhance its management system, consolidate teaching and research achievements, promote cross-disciplinary research, continue to enhance the ‘4-in-1’ model of education, strengthen the moral education of students, recruit top faculty members, give priority to locals in recruitment, training, and promotion, and accelerate the localisation of talent.
The UA and the UC consist of prominent members of the community, UM’s management, and representatives of faculty members, students, and alumni. The following people attended this year’s UAUC Joint Meeting: Chui Sai On, Lam Kam Seng, Lei Pui Lam, Wong Chong Fat, Lau Veng Lin, Siu Yin Wai, Zhou Ligao, Maria Edith da Silva, Ma Iao Lai, Susana Chou, Ho Iat Seng, Joaquim Jorge Perestrelo Neto Valente, Wong Chi Seng, Wong King Keung, Lao Ngai Leong, Cheng Kar Shing, D José Lai, Kong Tat Choi, Anabela Fátima Xavier Sales Ritchie, Tong Chi Kin, Ma Chi Ngai, Kou Kam Fai, Chui Sai Peng, Au Chong Kit, Leong Heng Teng, Vong Hin Fai, Huen Wing Ming, Ip Peng Kin, Sou Chio Fai, Iong Kong Leong, Kuok Sio Lai, Wei Zhao, Lionel Ni, Rui Martins, Kou Mei, Chuxia Deng, Rose Lai, Agnes Lam, Ao Peng Kong, Kot Man Kam, Wong Soi Kei, Wong Chon In, and UA Secretary and UC Secretary-General Wendy Chan. Those who sat in on the meeting include Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Tam Chon Weng and Chief of Office of the Chief Executive O Lam.
