Source: Office of the Chief Executive

Macao SAR Chief Executive Chui Sai On today (24 July) visited the University of Macau’s (UM) new campus which was recently put into use, in order to keep abreast of the latest development of the new campus. Chui Sai On noted during his visit that he believes the new campus will provide new momentum for higher education development in Macao, and will create better conditions for UM to contribute to the sustainable development of Macao SAR by nurturing more well-rounded graduates for the local community.

The chief executive this morning visited the new UM campus on Hengqin Island, in the company of UM’s University Council (UC) Chair Tse Chi Wai, Second Vice Chair of UC and Chair of the UC Campus Development Committee Lam Kam Seng, and UM Rector Wei Zhao, in order to keep abreast of the latest development of the new campus. He listened to the university’s relocation plan, and exchanged ideas with UM’s top management about future management of the new campus. 

The chief executive noted that thanks to the support of the central government, Macao received the approval for the construction of a new UM campus on Hengqin Island. He said that as the first pilot project that explores a new mode of collaboration between Guangdong and Macao, the new campus project fully demonstrates system-wise innovation and creativity. He said he believes that after the new campus starts full-scale operation, it will provide new momentum for higher education development in Macao, and will create better conditions for UM to contribute to the sustainable development of Macao SAR by nurturing more well-rounded graduates for the local community.

He stressed that the SAR government will build on its strengths to constantly improve the overall quality of higher education in Macao. 

During the visit, he listened to the university’s relocation plan as well as new campus management plan. He exchanged ideas on related matters with UM’s top management. He instructed that the relocation should be carried out in an orderly and safe manner, and that various parties concerned should work closely with the contractor to complete the follow-up works.

The chief executive was accompanied by Tam Chon Weng, chief of the Office of the Chief Executive; O Lam, secretary-general of the Executive Council; Wong Chan Tong, chief of the Office of the Secretary for Transport and Public Works; Ko Chin Hung, Wu Kan and Lei Ngan Leng, advisors from the Office of the Chief Executive; Iao Man Leng, advisor from the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture; and Cheong Kok Kei, advisor from the Office of the Secretary for Transport and Public Works.

Three vice rectors of UM, Rui Martins, Simon Ho and Alex Lai, also accompanied the chief executive during his visit.

On 27 June 2009, the ninth session of the 11th National People’s Congress adopted a bill that proposed authorising Macao SAR to exercise jurisdiction over the new UM campus on Hengqin Island. On 20 December 2009, which marked the tenth anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland, Hu Jintao, the then-president of the People’s Republic of China, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the new campus.

(Translation)