The University of Macau (UM) celebrated its 45th anniversary in conjunction with its Open Day yesterday, titled “UM Anniversary Open Day”, which invited the public to explore the public university’s latest developments, academic strengths, and campus culture.
The opening ceremony for the university’s 45th anniversary celebrations was held at 11 a.m. at the university’s Lakeside Theatre, followed by the Open Day, which ran until 5 p.m.
The opening ceremony brought together local government officials, representatives from Central People’s Government offices, members of the education sector, scholarship donors, partners, faculty, students and alumni. Among the guests were Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) Director Kong Chi Meng, Liaison Office Education and Youth Affairs Department Director Li Xuefei and UM Rector Song Yonghua (aka Yonghua Song).
In his address, Kong highlighted UM’s role as a university rooted in Macau, integrated into national development and connected globally, and expressed hope that it would play a leading role in advancing the integrated development of Macau and Hengqin through its presence in the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town.
Meanwhile, Song reviewed UM’s development over the past 45 years, noting its transformation into Macau’s only comprehensive research-orientated public university of international standing. He underlined that construction of UM’s new campus in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin began at end of last month, with full operation scheduled for 2029 under a ‘dual-campus’ model.
The ceremony also featured presentations on research achievements in drone technology, unmanned surface vessels and legged service robots by faculty members from the Faculty of Science and Technology.
Around 250 activities took place across the main campus, including admission talks, academic lectures, research showcases, guided tours, and interactive games.
Meanwhile, the university’s faculties, research institutes, and residential colleges organised workshops, science experiments and cultural performances, while quiz games and lucky draws offered prizes such as headphones and e-readers.
University of Macau (UM) Rector Song Yonghua (aka Yonghua Song) addresses the opening ceremony of the public university’s 45th anniversary and Open Day at the Lakeside Theatre on its main campus in Hengqin yesterday morning. – Photo: Khalel Vallo
