This year, 329 outstanding local students were accepted by the University of Macau (UM) for undergraduate studies through the Principals’ Recommended Admission programme. Of the 329 students, 39 rank No 1 in their classes or schools, and will be awarded the University of Macau Grand Lotus Scholarship. This year, UM received a large number of applications from outstanding local students, which is believed to be linked to the university’s efforts in curriculum reform. All the 329 students will be awarded a scholarship. 20 will receive the University of Macau Grand Lotus Scholarship; 129 will receive the University of Macau Golden Lotus Scholarship; and 180 will receive the University of Macau Silver Lotus Scholarship. Recipients of these Lotus scholarships can enjoy the benefits of the scholarships throughout their years of study at UM. Recipients of the University of Macau Grand Lotus Scholarship will be admitted to the Honours College in their second year of study with exemption from exams, and will also receive special guidance and training from the deans and professors in their faculties. These opportunities aim to help outstanding students achieve their full potential and become well-rounded graduates so they can better serve Macao after graduation. These students not only excel academically, but are also gifted in different areas. Some of them have won awards at international competitions. Some have represented Macao at sports competitions. Among them are winners at an Asian swimming championship, a national writing competition, the National High School Physics Competition, and the China Adolescents Science and Technology Innovation Contest; the first runner-up of the WorldSkills Competition in the web design category, who was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Macao SAR government; best debaters at regional debate competitions; and members of the Macao Conservatory’s Student Chinese Orchestra and Macau Youth Symphony Orchestra. In addition, many of these students are actively involved in community service. Under UM’s residential college system, which serves as an important instrument for the implementation of the university’s unique ‘4-in-1’ model of education (discipline-specific education, general education, research and internship education, and community and peer education), all undergraduate students are required to live in a residential college during their first year of study, so they can have more opportunities to interact with their peers and professors and participate in campus activities. The university hopes attracting well-rounded students through the Lotus scholarships will help to create a positive learning environment so that the university can produce more exemplary graduates for society.
