Dear all Colleagues and Students,

In this email, I would like to provide you an update on our endeavors on some major projects and tasks that are our latest evidence of a communal effort.

Policy for New Assistant Professors

As an effective means of nurturing a highly motivated and professionally-qualified team of faculty members, we have established a new policy for the new assistant professors whose appointments shall take effect on or after 1 August 2009.

This new policy was discussed at the Faculty Town Hall Meeting opened to all academic staff, followed by several consultations including the VR/Dean Executive Meetings, UACC, GAC, etc. After the Faculty Senate had endorsed it, the policy was finally reported to the University Council on 9 April 2009.

Details of this policy will be sent to the academic staff. With immediate effect, department heads and deans should communicate this policy to your faculty candidates during the recruitment process.

Enhancement and Clarification of Promotion Procedure for Academic Staff

In adhering to our goal for an outstanding faculty team, we have reviewed and enhanced the promotion procedure. We streamline our procedure in the hope of motivating our faculty members to improve their productivities, advance their personal career and to be internationally recognized for their academic works and qualifications.

This procedural enhancement and clarification was also discussed, at the Faculty Town Hall Meeting on 4 March 2009, followed by several consultations. After the Faculty Senate's endorsement, the policy was finally reported to the University Council on 9 April 2009.

Details of this procedural enhancement and clarification will be sent to the academic staff. Please note that the timetable for promotion of this year will be announced by AHR soon.

Awarding the Honorary Degree to the Honorable President George H. W. Bush

The Chief Executive of Macao SAR has approved our proposal to confer the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences, honoris causa, to the Honorable President George Herbert Walker Bush. As you may know, President Bush is a significant figure and leading pioneer in Sino-U.S. relations and has played an irreplaceable role in the normalization of Sino-U.S. relations and the development of this important bilateral relationship.

Our proposal comes timely as this year marks the 30th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the United States of America. Due to his tight schedule and health reason, President Bush cannot come to Macau for the honorary degree conferment ceremony. Hence, the University is sending a delegation to the United States for the ceremony this week.

New Campus Development

Another sign of positive momentum is the new campus project on Hengqin Island. We hosted numerous internal and external consultations since March 2009 in which we shared our initial ideas of building a Hengqin campus. I would like to thank all those who have participated in the consultations and provided valuable feedbacks, concerns, and suggestions which we have consolidated into our report as the initial ideas for the establishment of the UM Hengqin Campus.

This report was presented to and approved by the University Council on 9 April 2009. Consequently, it has been submitted to the Macao SAR Government. More information will be shared with the campus-wide community in due course.

Recruitments of Leadership Positions

On the other hand, the global recruitment of outstanding scholars for the positions of the Deans of FBA, FST and Honours College are in good progress. We appreciate the efforts of many faculty members, administrative staff, and students who have actively engaged in the process. We will continue to ensure that the University recruits the finest scholars and supporting staff that are eager to contribute their very best for the common good of our students.

Our job to realize the University's full potential is never done. I encourage your comments and suggestions for the growth of our university. Please be reminded that you are welcome to visit me during open-door sessions. Please send your e-mail to my assistant, Ms. Ada Leong at <adaleong@umac.mo> for appointments.

Yours sincerely,

Wei Zhao
Rector