18 August is the first day of the new semester at the University of Macau (UM). The university welcomed close to 3,500 new undergraduate and postgraduate students. UM Rector Yonghua Song delivered a welcome speech online. In the speech, He encouraged students to cherish the variety of opportunities provided by the university and to work hard in order to grow into patriotic, globally minded, internationally competitive, socially responsible, and innovative individuals with the ability to contribute to society and create fulfilling lives for themselves.
In the new academic year, UM welcomed a new cohort of outstanding students from Macao, mainland China, and overseas, including some from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Portuguese-speaking countries. In addition, the university has admitted a group of outstanding local high school graduates with different talents through the Principals’ Recommended Admission Scheme, the Chinese and Portuguese Bilingual Talent Nurturing Scheme, and the Outstanding Student-Athletes Admission Scheme.
UM is a community where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist. It adopts an international governance model and provides students with holistic education through various faculties and residential colleges. According to Rector Song, this year marks the 40th anniversary of the university, a time to take stock of the past and set sail for new horizons. UM is a university of and for Macao; it is also an active participant in the development of the Greater Bay Area and the nation, with the ambition to ‘go global’. It aspires to be an internationally recognised university with learner-centred education, impactful research, and social responsibility. Rector Song encouraged students to uphold the university motto: ‘Humanity, Integrity, Propriety, Wisdom, and Sincerity’, take advantage of the abundant resources provided by the university, become independent learners and researchers, and compete with themselves every day.
Because of the epidemic, UM has moved all orientation activities for the new academic year online. All classes in August will be conducted online. Class arrangements for September will be determined later depending on the changing circumstances concerning the epidemic.
Source: Communications Office, University of Macau
