History

  • In January 2007, UM started devising the 10-year Development Strategy, including the campus development plan, with a minimum enrollment target of 10,000 students.
  • In March 2007, UM submitted several proposals for land acquisition to the SAR Government but none were considered feasible due to various valid reasons.
  • In May 2007, the possibility of building a new campus on Hengqin Island was discussed for the first time at the Joint Meeting of the University Assembly and University Council presided over by the Chief Executive.
  • In June 2007, members of the University Council and UM's senior management went to Hengqin for site inspection.
  • In mid-2008, the University Council submitted a proposal regarding the construction of a new campus on Hengqin Island to the SAR Government.
  • In January 2009 following a visit to Macao paid by Mr. Xi Jinping, Vice President of the People's Republic of China, UM was informed of the possibility of building the Hengqin campus and that this campus would serve as a "pilot project" as part of a broader collaboration between Guangdong and Macao in the joint exploitation of Hengqin.
  • Starting from February 2009, UM carried out 21 consultation and briefing sessions inside and outside campus.
  • In April 2009, after soliciting opinions from various parties, the University Council submitted a formal request to the SAR Government, proposing:
    • Implementing the judicial, financial and taxation systems of the Macao SAR
    • Maintaining the existing governance regime and teaching, research and administrative systems
    • Ensuring access to the campus without going through immigration clearance
    • Adopting effective segregation measures
    • Following Macao's standards for public utilities and services
  • On 24 April 2009, the SAR Government officially submitted to the State Council a proposal requesting the Central Government to approve the establishment of the UM Hengqin campus and to authorize the Macao SAR to exercise jurisdiction over the new campus site.
  • On 27 June 2009, the bill proposing authorizing Macao SAR to exercise jurisdiction over the UM Hengqin campus site was adopted by the NPC Standing Committee.
  • On 20 December 2009, The groundbreaking ceremony for the new campus of UM ended with great success. President Hu Jintao officiated at the plaque unveiling ceremony and wrote an inscription for UM that read “love China, love Macao, learn extensively, and practice earnestly.”