Today (9 October 2010) the University of Macau (UM) Congregation 2010 was held at the Tap Seac Multi-Sports Pavilion. Dr. Chui Sai On, Chief Executive of Macao SAR and Chancellor of UM, presided over the ceremony. More than 1000 bachelor’s and master’s graduates received their degrees and graduation certificates from UM Rector Wei Zhao, and PhD graduates received their degrees and certificates from Dr. Chui Sai On. Dr. Chui said at the congregation that Macao SAR government will increase input in education and UM should stick with its established long-term goals and strive to become a world-class university and produce high-calibre graduates. UM Rector Wei Zhao said that UM has formulated a new “‘4-component-based’ structure” as the university’s new pedagogical model, with a view to “providing a unique holistic education” and nurturing outstanding graduates that can serve as “the driving force for the development of society”. More than 2000 people, including UM’s top management University Council Dr. Chair Tse Chi Wai, Rector Prof. Wei Zhao, Vice Rector (Academic Affairs) Prof. Simon Ho, Vice Rector (Research) Prof. Rui Martins, and Vice Rector (Administration) Dr. Alex Lai, as well as members of the University Assembly and University Council, UM staff, government officials, community leaders and students’ parents, attended the congregation, joyful in the knowledge that this milestone event signals the start of a new chapter in the students’ lives. In his speech Dr. Chui said that Macao SAR government will adhere to the guiding principle of “invigorating Macao through education” and will increase input in education to improve teaching environment, support educational institutions, accelerate the training of professionals in various fields for the local community, and enhance the cultural quality and overall competitiveness of Macao. He said that the government is studying the feasibility of establishing a higher education fund and will continue to provide postgraduate scholarships for permanent Macao residents to create favorable conditions for people who wish to pursue further education. He said the aim of doing so is to create a society committed to lifelong learning. He noted that the construction of the new UM campus will be completed in three years, and that UM should stick with its established long-term goals and strive to become a world-class university with distinctive regional features and constantly seek to enhance the quality of its graduates. In his speech UM Rector Wei Zhao said that “disciplinary education”, “general education”, “research and internship education”, and “community and peer education” are all essential components indispensable to the growth of students, and that UM has formulated this new ‘4-component-based’ structure” as the university’s new pedagogical model with a view to nurturing graduates who, “with integrity and aspiration, can live up to the maxim of ‘love China, love Macao; learn extensively, practice earnestly’ and be the driving force for the development of the society”. He said that for years UM has been holding on to this education mode and has accumulated rich experience in this respect. He said the excellent performance of the graduates further strengthens UM’s “determination and faith to bring our ‘4-component-based’ model to perfection”. In closing, Rector Wei Zhao congratulated students on entering a new stage of their lives and reminded students to always bear in mind that their great responsibilities for Macao, China and the world, saying that such responsibilities “are best discharged by the contributions” they make to the alma mater and society. Student representative Ms. Mak Hio Wa said in her speech that UM has all along been committed to nurturing excellent graduates for society and has attained marked progress over the years. She said that she believes the new campus will offer a better learning environment for students and will allow UM to make greater contribution to society by nurturing more outstanding graduates. She expressed hope that several years from now all students present at today’s ceremony can reunite to celebrate new milestones of their alma mater. In closing she wished UM a brighter future. This year UM produced 1107 bachelor’s degree graduates, 276 master’s degree graduates, six doctoral degree graduates and 133 graduates of postgraduate certificate programmes. At the congregation, UM granted numerous academic awards and scholarships to students with academic excellence.
