The University of Macau (UM) has launched a pilot residential college programme on the current campus in preparation for the residential college system to be introduced on the new campus. Prof. Iu Vai Pan and Prof. George Watt have been appointed heads of East Asia College and Pearl Jubilee College respectively.

Today (12 April) Dr. Stanley Ho, Lui Che Woo Foundation Limited, Macau Henry Fok Foundation, and Ms. Susana Chou each donated MOP 30 million to the University of Macau Development Foundation (UMDF) to help establish four residential colleges on the new campus. The donations will allow the University of Macau (UM) to better implement “whole-person” education and nurture outstanding graduates with leadership skills for the local community.

Over the years, the University of Macau (UM) has paid special attention to environmental protection and energy saving issues. The new campus under construction in Hengqin Island will incorporate the green concept, being a quiet pedestrian-dedicated campus, with few cars. UM is also committed to reducing carbon emissions in the new campus, to create a comfortable living and learning environment for the teaching staff and students.

UM´s new campus adheres to the “people-oriented” design concept and embraces a barrier-free campus culture, by offering multi-level walking routes, to encourage staff and students to walk and move on bicycles.

On 9 Feb 2010, the University of Macau Development Foundation (UMDF) received from Wu Yee Sun Charitable Foundation Ltd a donation of HKD150 million, the largest single benefaction since UMDF’s inception in December last year. In recognition of this magnificent contribution, with endorsement of the Chief Executive of the Macao SAR and University Chancellor Dr. Chui Sai On and the University Council, the central library on the University’s new campus will be named after Dr. Wu Yee Sun.

In the cheque presentation ceremony held at the Government headquarters, Dr. Chui Sai On received the donation from the director of the charitable foundation Mr. Lui Pui Ying on behalf of UMDF.

20 Dec 2009 is a highly significant day because it witnesses three important events, namely the 10th anniversary of Macao SAR, the inauguration of the third Chief Executive of Macao SAR Dr. Chui Sai On, and the landmark groundbreaking ceremony for the new campus of the University of Macau (UM). The new UM campus has an epoch-making significance because it represents an important milestone in the development of Macao’s higher education. A delegation from the Central Government led by Mr. Hu Jintao, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), President of the People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Committee, attended the groundbreaking ceremony, with President Hu officiating at the ceremony, showing the Central Government’s great support for Macao’s higher education and the new UM campus.

Upon arrival at the new campus site, President Hu inspected the architectural sand table model based on the master plan for the new campus. UM Rector Wei Zhao updated President Hu on the planning and design principles for the new campus and thanked the Central Government on behalf of all teachers, students and staff of the University for granting this unprecedented, golden opportunity to the University. He committed to developing UM into a leading university in Asia and a first-rate university in the world within a relatively short time frame through the introduction of various measures into the new campus such as implementing elite undergraduate education, developing an outstanding faculty team, and promoting research excellence.