CityU hosts seminar to discuss strategies for internationalization and engages in dialogue with international scholars to explore academic cooperation and student opportunities

The City University of Macau (CityU) recently held a seminar to discuss strategies for internationalization with the aims to further expanding international exchanges, promoting cooperation with Portuguese universities, and creating multi-lingual learning and research opportunities across different cultures.

The first session, titled “Unleashing International Academic Partnerships,” was chaired by Rector Jun Liu and featured a dialogue with Consul-General of Portugal in Macao Alexandre Leitão and Vice-Rector of the University of Coimbra João Nuno Calvão da Silva. The second session, titled “Internationalization Dynamics and Opportunities for Students at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Coimbra,” was moderated by José Alves, Dean of the Faculty of Business at CityU, and José Associate Dean Paulo Esperança, followed by a dialogue with Álvaro Garrido, Dean and Chair Professor of the Faculty of Economics at the University of Coimbra.

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In the first session, the three speakers discussed in depth the role of internationalization in social development and higher education, as well as the relationship between higher education, knowledge transformation, and promoting local social development and the economy of Portuguese-speaking countries.

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Consul General Alexandre Leitão stated that “internationalization” played an important role in global exchanges and cooperation, and had significant impacts on areas such as economy, science and technology, and trade. He also noted that universities played essential roles in this process, such as cultivating talent and transforming knowledge. He stressed that creativity and innovation were the symbols of internationalization, and that it promoted the integration of education and society, and fostered professionals with both “knowledge” and “practical skills.” He also mentioned that Macao’s unique geographical, historical, and cultural background, and how universities in both places had been continuously improving cultural and language education, strengthening talent cultivation, and playing important roles in promoting exchanges and cooperation between Portuguese-speaking countries and Macao.

Vice Rector João Nuno Calvão da Silva talked about how the University of Coimbra, as one of the oldest universities in the world, had a strong international academic atmosphere and outstanding academic achievements. He also mentioned that the higher proportion of international students at the university had created a multi-lingual, multi-cultural learning environment, and had produced a large number of outstanding professionals for Portugal and the world.

Rector Jun Liu emphasized the importance of Macao’s positioning as “One Center, One Platform, One Base” in its long-term development and its deep historical connection with Portuguese-speaking countries as a place where Eastern and Western cultures converge and coexist. Rector Jun Liu also mentioned that through the exchange and cooperation with Portuguese universities, students can not only learn language and knowledge, but also experience Portuguese society and culture, and embrace a more international education experience. He believed that this would help students broaden their horizons and become more globally-minded individuals.

In the second session, the three speakers emphasized the important role of multi-lingual and multi-cultural exchanges in students’ international learning, which helped them to experience and blend into the local cultural atmosphere. Dean Álvaro Garrido interpreted the vision of the Faculty of Economics at the University of Coimbra from the perspective of internationalization and sustainable development and elaborated on the strategic goals of the faculty in terms of innovative development and internationalization. He also shared the unique education system and dynamic development strategy of the faculty. In addition, he introduced the diverse talent cultivation model of the faculty, taking into consideration factors such as discipline characteristics, faculty strength, and international students.

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In the two sessions, faculty and students actively asked questions and were eager to learn about various aspects of international learning. The speakers kindly answered the students' questions about studying at the University of Coimbra, courses, and career development, providing detailed guidance and helpful assistance for those interested in studying abroad.

Through this exchange, it was hoped that both parties would promote more practical cooperation in academic visits, student exchanges, and other areas, in order to jointly cultivate more high-end professionals needed for the development of Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries.