Cover Story:

- 681 Graduates Bid Farewell at Graduation

- Speech by Rector and Professor Iu Vai Pan

- Group picture of the students

-Students present cultural performances.

"UM International Cultural Exchange Day" was organized on 2 November on the terrace of Tai Fung Building to promote cultural exchange and to encourage local youths to speak foreign languages. Guest students from 15 secondary schools in Macao, UM teachers and students from different parts of the world gathered together to share and learn from each other's experiences.

"UM International Cultural Exchange Day" was the first large-scale international cultural exchange activity on campus. Over 100 students participated including 76 secondary students from Form 5 or 6 classes of local schools, 50 UM exchange students from 13 countries such as China, Spain, Holland, and Japan and students enrolled full time from the US, Thailand and Taiwan. Overseas and exchange students shared their learning experiences in foreign countries. Local secondary students performed programmes with cultural characteristics. During the group gathering for lunch, everyone was involved in a culturally related questions and answers game, which enabled them to learn other foreign languages in a joyful atmosphere. Two awards: the Best Group Performance and the Best Participation, were awarded in the end.

Rector Iu Vai Pan expressed that this was the first time UM invited secondary students to join in a UM cultural activity. The purpose was to provide an opportunity for them to have contact with foreign cultures and lifestyles. Most importantly, from the activities participating students could visualize how Macao's internationalization would be in the years to come and psychologically prepare them for their future involvement in society.

In the past, UM frequently organized different international exchange activities to promote cultural understanding. Last year a full blown cultural show was held in the Leal Senado Square in Macao, enabling the foreign exchange students at UM and Macao residents interact. This year more secondary school students were involved and the scope of cultural exchange was broadened, helping to raise local youths' language skills and to widen their horizons.

Rector Iu Vai Pan attended a three day international seminar by the University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific in Canberra, Australia, on 7 October.

Participants included university representatives from Australia, Macao, New Zealand, Thailand, Brussels (Belgium), Mauritius, Canada, New York and Sydney. They presented papers at the seminar.

Rector read his article What is an International University? After the seminar, board members held a meeting.

-Rector Iu Vai Pan (right) and the Minister of the Science and Higher Education of Portugal (left) exchange souvenirs.

-Macao SAR delegation visits Portugal.

Accompanying the Secretary for Transport and Public Works of Macao SAR Government Ao Man Long and his delegation, Rector Iu Vai Pan left for Portugal on 7 September for a one week official visit. It was intended to strengthen collaboration among counterparts from education, civil aviation and public works sectors in Macao and Portugal.

During the visit Rector Iu met with the Minister of Science and Higher Education of Portugal and discussed issues on higher education. The Rector indicated that the Minister would act on the issue of recognition of academic degrees by UM in the same spirit as the law was drafted on this regard in 1995. Rector Iu also met with Prof Lopes da Silva, Deputy President of the Associa?o das Universidade de Lingua Portuguesa (AULP) and Rector of the University of Science and Technology in Lisbon, and Mr Toni, Secretary of AULP to discuss arrangement for AULP meeting in Macao next year.

The delegation paid visit to the Minister for Public Works, Transport and Housing, Minister for Science and Higher Education, and the Secretary of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

-Rector of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Zhu Bide (left) and Rector Iu Vai Pan sign a collaboration agreement.

UM and Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CUTCM) signed an academic exchange and collaboration agreement on 15 October in UM.

To underscore the importance of this move, the president of CUTCM led his delegation composed of 15 vice president and deans to UM for the occasion. Collaboration covers (1) exchanging research information and books; (2) exchanging teachers, students and postgraduates; (3) cooperating in academic research; (4) jointly educating postgraduates; (5) co-sponsoring academic conferences, seminars and programmes; and (6) co-sponsoring other related education and research activities. Both universities believe that such collaboration will assist to raise the quality and capabilities of medical professionals and to develop Chinese medicinal science and technology.

CUTCM is one of the renowned medical universities in China and has the advantage of being situated in Xichuan, a repository of Chinese medicinal herbs. It has acquired outstanding achievements in education and research in related fields. On the other hand, due to its geographic location and international cultural background, UM can easily integrate Chinese and Western culture and technology, and create a programme with Chinese characteristics and international competitiveness. This year UM enrolled 41 students for Master's programmes in Medicinal Administration and Chinese Medicinal Science. CUTCM recommended three excellent postgraduate students to the programmes. UM currently focuses on developing an internationalized education on Chinese medicine and herbs and collaboration into research in Chinese medicine. The first stage of investment in equipment is MOP10 million and will be completed by the end of the year.

The 15 member delegation was headed by Rector Zhu Bide, Vice Rector Fu Chunhua, Assistant to the Rector and the Head of Academic Affairs Zou Shiling, Chief of the Rector's Office Xu Lian, Head of the Science and Technology Bureau Yang Ming, Deputy Director of the Research Bureau Peng Yuhua and several department heads.

-(front second from the left) President John Ning-Yuean Lee of the Fu Jen Catholic University of Taiwan, Rector Iu Vai Pan and Vice Rector Huang Yajun.

Rector Iu Vai Pan and the President of Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan, Dr John Ning-Yuean Lee, signed a Collaboration Agreement in UM. Rector Iu said that during the last few years, some UM faculties and Taiwan universities had exchanged academically. This was the first time for UM to sign a formal agreement with a Taiwan university. This agreement will strengthen academic exchange between the two universities. It is also hoped that academic and Chinese cultural exchange will lead to more opportunities for collaboration between universities in Taiwan and China.

Dr Lee stated that Macao is a melting pot for Chinese and Western cultures and plays a bridging role. Comparatively, Macao is a smaller place. For the development of higher education, it needs collaboration with other universities to expand the vision of students. He indicated that Macao students are welcome to continue their higher education in Taiwan. He hoped this collaboration will bear fruit.

The major contents of this agreement included exchanging academic publications and information, teachers, students and postgraduates; co-organizing academic seminars, and inviting each other to academic conferences. Specific activity plans will be agreed upon and carried out individually.