Three Higher Education Institutions Hold the First Joint Opening Ceremony of the New Academic Year at the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town
MACAU, September 8 - The Joint Opening Ceremony of the three higher education institutions for the 2026/2027 academic year at the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town was held today (8 September) at the first-phase campus of the University Town in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. The three public higher education institutions — the University of Macau, Macao Polytechnic University, and Macao University of Tourism — upholding a shared mindset and implementing the ‘trinity’ education model, jointly held for the first time a flag-raising ceremony, the opening ceremony of the new academic year, and the inauguration of the first-phase campus. The opening ceremony was officiated by the Chief Executive, Sam Hou Fai; Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Zheng Xincong; the Secretary for Economy and Finance, and Director of the Executive Committee of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Ng Wai Han; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Lyu Yuyin; and the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, O Lam, among others.
The national ‘15th Five-Year Plan’ explicitly calls for ‘advancing the development of the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town and supporting Macao’s higher education institutions in extending their educational operations to Hengqin’. The University Town serves as a core engine for advancing national self-reliance in science and technology, empowering the in-depth cooperation of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and promoting Macao’s appropriate economic diversification. It stands as the best testament to the ‘hard connectivity’ of infrastructure, the ‘soft connectivity’ of rules and mechanisms, and the ‘heart connectivity’ between the residents of Macao and Hengqin, and represents a new paradigm of extended educational operations under ‘One Country, Two Systems’. The official inauguration of the first-phase campus marks a substantive step forward in Macao-Hengqin extended educational operations. Guided by the integrated development of education, technology and talent, and leveraging the combined resources of Macao and Hengqin, the University Town will drive Macao to unlock renewed vitality as it actively integrates into and serves the broader national development strategy.
This academic year, the first-phase campus of the University Town welcomes over 1,450 postgraduate students enrolled in programmes covering areas such as artificial intelligence, microelectronics, big data and the Internet of Things, and cultural and creative industries management. Secretary O Lam and the rectors of the three universities welcomed the first cohort of students to the University Town, marking the start of their cross-city learning experience in Macao and Hengqin. They shared the universities’ development plans centred on the ‘one university, two campuses’ extended educational operations model, the ‘trinity’ collaborative education approach, and ‘industry-research integration’ for innovation-driven empowerment, encouraging students to embrace the new development landscape of Macao and Hengqin, foster a sense of patriotism and national identity, broaden their international perspectives, and pursue academic excellence with rigour and innovation. Student representatives from the three universities jointly delivered a speech, expressing their commitment to the new platform of the University Town, to diligent learning and critical thinking, to bold innovation, and to applying their knowledge in service of the nation’s needs, contributing their youthful energy to the development of Macao and Hengqin.
After the ceremony, the Chief Executive and the delegation visited the student centre to tour the International Festival jointly organised by the three universities. Representatives of the three universities introduced on-site activities including Chinese calligraphy, Hanfu experience, Portuguese folk dance workshops and food workshops. During the visit, the delegation interacted with faculty and students, gaining insights into their learning and campus life.
Other officials attending the event included: Deputy Secretary of the Hengqin Working Committee of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, Director of the Hengqin Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, and Deputy Director of the Executive Committee of the Guangdong‒Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Nie Xinping; Chief of Office to the Chief Executive, Chan Kak; Chief of the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Lin Yuan; Deputy Director of the Executive Committee of the Guangdong‒Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Li Chong; Director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau, Kong Chi Meng; Rector of the University of Macau, Song Yonghua; Rector of Macao Polytechnic University, Zhou Zhongrong; Rector of Macao University of Tourism, Vong Chuk Kwan; and representatives from government departments in Macao and Hengqin, as well as senior management and faculty members of the three public higher education institutions.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
