The New Campus Inauguration:a Historic Moment

The new campus of the University of Macau (UM) was officially inaugurated today (5 Nov.) at the University Hall. Around 500 participants, including Vice-Premier Wang Yang, officials from the Guangdong government,the chief executive of the Macao SAR, dignitaries, guests, UM staff, students and alumni representatives attended the occasion to witness this historic moment.Apart from plaque unveiling by Vice-Premier Wang Yang, the chief executive, the chairman of the University Council of the University of Macau, and the student representative also gave their speeches. The inauguration was officiated by Mr Wang Yang, vice-premier of the State Council of PRC, Mr Chui Sai On, chief executive of the Macao SAR - cum- chancellor of UM, Mr Ho HauWah, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), DrTse Chi Wai, chairman of the University Council of UM, and Professor Wei Zhao, rector of UM. The ceremony was declared open by Professor Zhao. Accompanied by Mr Chui Sai On, Mr Wang Yang unveiled the plaque, which marked the official inauguration of the new campus and a new chapter of UM's history. It was truly an unforgettable moment for all the applauding audience. In his speech, Mr Chui Sai On said that thanks to the full support of the central government, UMwas able to build a modern campus in three years' time on a 1.09 sq km plot of land in Hengqin, with the Macao SAR exercising its jurisdictionthereover. . The planning, construction and inauguration of the new campus testified eloquently the support of the central government and the importance it attached to Macao's education. The UM'sNew Campus Project was not only an exemplary case of the Guangdong-Macao cooperation, but was also one of the strategic plans of the talent nurturing enterprise. On the other hand, the central government supported the New Campus Project, and in generalMacao's higher education,with land provision and policy. The government of the Macao SAR would make the best of the UM new campus to enhanceeducation and research and promote the long-term development of local education. 'With the new campus launched, I am happy to say that the days when UM's development was restricted due to lack of space are now gone,' said DrTse Chi Wai in his speech. 'From now on, with support from the government and the community, we will continue to strive to realize the other top-notches on former President Hu Jintao's expectations list.' He thanked the various parties who had contributed themselves to the New CampusProject, including the central government, officials of the relevant provinces, municipalities and districts, the business sectors and communities of Macao and Hong Kong, the chief designer Academician He Jingtang and his design team, the contractor Nam Yue Group, as well as the tens of thousand workers who had worked tirelessly on the construction site over the past three years. UM would live up to the expectations of all its supporters and would make the best of this golden opportunity for its future development. The student representative Chan Ka Man stressed that while the society of Macao and UM were undergoing an unprecedented transformation, as students of UM, they would be guided by their passion and devotion so that they could make a difference to their alma mater, the community and the nation. She then expressed her gratitude to the central and local governments for their support of UM. 'Now we'll be able to learn and grow on a much better campus,' she said. The ceremony closed in a climax when the UM anthem was played by the UM Symphonic Band and chorused by the UM Choir and sung by the entire audience and. After the ceremony, the guests of honourvisited the Residential Colleges where the vice-premier talked with the students to undertand more their college life and study. He was impressed with the environment of the new campus.