The University of Macau (UM) today (9 November) held the Ceremony for the Conferment of Honorary and Higher Degrees 2019. This year, more than 800 students from PhD degree programmes, master’s degree programmes, and postgraduate diploma/certificate programmes received graduation certificates. At the ceremony, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Tam Chon Weng, acting as the representative of Macao SAR Chief Executive and UM Chancellor Chui Sai On, said that the Macao SAR government will continue to support the development of first-rate programmes at UM. He expressed hope that UM would continue to nurture professionals who love China and Macao, and attain more achievements in scientific research, in order to make more contributions to the sustainable development of Macao and China.
Tam said, ‘The SAR government adheres to the policy of developing Macao through education and talent nurturing. It has therefore been strengthening support to higher education development. To this end, the Higher Education Fund was put in place in 2018, after the Higher Education Regime officially came into effect. The fund aims to ensure better investment of public resources in higher education, so as to create conditions conducive to elevating its standards. In recent years, UM as a comprehensive public university has made tremendous efforts to nurture talent for the Macao SAR and the nation, and to contribute actively to the community. The university has obtained fruitful achievements in teaching and research, and has seen a continuous rise in academic standing and international prestige. By rooting itself in Macao and integrating into the Greater Bay Area, the nation and beyond, UM has made steady progress towards its goal of being an institution of excellence.’
Tam added: ‘The SAR government will continue to support UM in creating a better teaching and research ambience, enhancing the ‘4-in-1’ education model, and establishing top disciplines. We trust that the university will uphold the “One Country” principle and leverage the “Two Systems” advantage to make further progress. In this manner, UM will continue to nurture more talents that remain intimately connected to China and Macao, to generate more scientific research, and to assist in moderately and sustainably diversifying the economy of Macao. It will also continue to support the SAR government in participating in the development of the Greater Bay Area, and make greater contributions to the sustainable development of Macao and the nation.’
Tam also said to the graduates: ‘While pursuing and realising our dreams, we should also make use of our wisdom and strength to contribute to the development of Macao and the nation, as well as the great national rejuvenation.’
UM Rector Yonghua Song said: ‘Over the past year, UM has formulated development strategies focused on expansion in size, internationalisation, faculty development, and R&D. In response to the trends in higher education, research and innovation in Macao, China and all over the world, UM has adopted the ‘RISE’ strategy, which includes four elements: Relevance, Impact, Significance, and Excellence. This strategy allows for efficient talent nurturing and planning of teaching and research. UM has also drawn up a new blueprint to encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration with a view to developing UM through both inheritance and innovation, giving full play to its strengths and scaling new heights in the pursuit of excellence.’
Rector Song added, ‘UM will continue to work in line with development trends of the nation and the globe based on current educational and research outcomes. Combined with the advantages brought about by the development of the Greater Bay Area, I believe UM will have an even larger space and arena for development. UM graduates will enjoy more opportunities and broader horizons.’ He also said to the graduates, ‘UM is where you started your journey to success. I am sure you will grasp the opportunities presented to you along the way, create promising futures, and become pillars of society.’
Liu Yifan, representative of the graduates, delivered a speech to thank the professors and family members, especially parents, for their support. Liu is an outstanding student and has published six articles in Nature Communications, Oncogene, and Cancer Letters as first author or co-author. She said, ‘Compared with undergraduate studies, postgraduate studies focus more on specialised knowledge and skills in our disciplines.’ She added, ‘During this season of transition, from graduation to starting a new journey, I am still dreaming to be a scientist and to achieve an impact that will make a visible difference to cancer research and the world.’
This year, a total of 819 students from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Faculty of Business Administration, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering, and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, received their graduation certificates. Among these students, 151 are from PhD degree programmes, 611 are from master’s degree programmes, and 57 are from postgraduate certificate/diploma programmes.
