The University of Macau (UM) has successfully passed the authentication of both ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004 standards in May, and become the first higher education institution in Macao certified to both standards. A certificate presentation ceremony was held on 28 August at UM Cultural Centre.

At the ceremony, Rector of UM Prof. Iu Vai Pan and Vice Rectors of UM Prof Rui Martins and Dr. Alex Lai Iat Long received the ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 Certificates from Mr. Wilson Tsui Wai Kei, Operations Manager of Det Norske Veritas (DNV). The ceremony was also witnessed by Mr. Lionel Leong Vai Tac, President of the General Council of the Environmental Protection Committee, Mr. Arnaldo Santos, Director of the Office for the Development of Energy Sector, Ms. Isabel Celeste Jorge, representative of the Chairman of the Administration Committee of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), Mr. Clement Li, Senior Consultant of Hong Kong Productivity Council, Mr. Wong Sai Heng, representative of the Acting Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Environmental Protection Committee as well as Ms. Mok Iun Lei, representative of the Director General of the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre.

In order to achieve its educational mission and long-term goals, UM not only continues to enhance the teaching and research quality, but also strives to improve its service and promote environmental protection education. As early as Year 2000, the University has formed a task force to plan for developing a quality management system. During the past years, UM has not only passed the authentication of the ISO 9001:2000 standard, but also continuously improved its work procedures and performance in all departments. Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Iu indicated that, as a higher education institution with regional significance, the University is vigorously taking part in the promotion and implementation of environmental protection works, as well as promoting the ideas of “Healthy University” and “Green Campus”, in response to the growing worldwide attention towards environmental protection and sustainable development. Accordingly, the University has established its own environmental protection work targets with references to international standards and continuously improved its performance through an effective supervisory system.

Prof. Iu pointed out that the preparation work for ISO 14000 was started in 2006. Early this year, UM merged the ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 systems into the Quality and Environmental Management System (QEMS), anticipating that the merged system can further optimize the University’s management work.

Prof. Iu noted that, without the joint efforts of all UM staff, UM could not be able to pass the authentication of both ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004 standards in May and become the first higher education institution in Macao having reached both standards. He indicated that the certificates being presented are not merely paper; they represent UM’s efforts in continuously improving its administration quality and environmental protection performance. Prof. Iu hoped that all UM staff would continue to work together with the spirits of continual improvement and professionalism for the development and mission of the University.

Caption: UM received the ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 Certificates