CityU holds Ceremony for the Conferment of Honorary Degree and Congregation 2024/2025 with over 3,200 graduates

The City University of Macau (CityU) held the “Ceremony for the Conferment of Honorary Degree and Congregation 2024/2025” (Ph.D./doctoral degrees and master’s degrees) today (May 24th) at the Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion. Concurrently, CityU conferred the honorary doctorates upon Michael Batty, Fang Binxing, and Su Tong (Tong Zhonggui) to commend their outstanding achievements in their respective fields, as well as their significant contributions to the development of society and higher education. The Congregations 2024/2025 (bachelor’s degrees) were held on May 21st and 22nd at the Cultural Centre, Taipa Campus. This year, more than 3,200 graduation certificates were awarded to nearly 400 Ph.D./doctoral graduates, over 1,500 master’s graduates, and more than 1,300 bachelor’s graduates.

 

The ceremony was officiated by O Lam, secretary for Social Affairs and Culture; Li Xuefei, director of the Education and Youth Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Gao Yuan, director of the Department of Information and Public Diplomacy of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macao; Kong Chi Meng, director of the SAR Government Education and Youth Development Bureau; Lao Ngai Leong, chairman of the University Foundation Trustee Committee; Chan Meng Kam, chancellor and the chairman of the University Council; Ung Choi Kun and Yan Zexian, vice chairmen of University Council, and Kong Fanqing, vice chairwoman of University Council; Jun Liu, rector of CityU; Michael Batty, honorary doctor and foreign academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; and Fang Binxing, honorary doctor and academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

 

The ceremony was attended also by members of the University Foundation and University Council, consul-generals, government officials, representatives from higher education institutions and high schools, scholarship donors, university management, distinguished guests, and the families and friends of the graduates. The event was live streamed online, garnering over 55,000 views.

 

Secretary O Lam stated that under the leadership of the Chief Executive, the SAR government placed great importance on the vital role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in achieving the strategic goal of “developing Macao into an international high-end talent hub”. She highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to promote the development of Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) City, thereby enhancing the internationalization of higher education, scientific research, and faculty teams, improving the international visibility and competitiveness of local universities, expanding global networks, and reinforcing the positioning of “one center, one platform, one base”.

 

In her speech, Secretary O Lam mentioned CityU’s ongoing efforts in implementing its educational philosophy of “serving Macao, integrating into the Greater Bay Area” as a key pillar of local higher education. She highlighted its recent developments in academic structure and the cultivation of innovative talents while actively promoting the establishment of joint laboratories and industry-academia platforms in artificial intelligence and data science, thereby fostering regional economic and social development. Lastly, she expressed hope that the University would continue to nurture outstanding talents with patriotism and love for Macao, supporting the government’s lawful governance and the construction of a happy Macao, while stressing that the SAR government would continue to support CityU’s development, jointly contributing to the strategies of building China into a leading country in education, technology, and talent.

 

At the ceremony, Rector Jun Liu congratulated the graduates on behalf of the University and expressed his gratitude and respect to the parents and staff. He emphasized the University’s commitment to aligning with the national strategy to build China into a leading country in education and the Macao SAR government’s development strategies, to establish an academic ecosystem for bachelor’s to Ph.D. education in the humanities and social sciences, with artificial intelligence as a core driver for innovative interdisciplinary development, to cultivate versatile talents with international competitiveness. In addition to these, Rector Liu also highlighted the establishments of the “Institute of Urban and Sustainable Development” and “Academy for Seniors” this year in response to the demands and the development of Macao’s society. Finally, Rector Jun Liu expressed three expectations to the graduates:

• First, be a “boundary breaker” to break new ground, create new values, become practitioners for technological innovation and social progress.
• Second, be a “true doer” to carry out the mission of the time through the unity of knowledge and action, respond to the demands of the times with expertise, ultimately realizing life value.
• Third, be an “faithful ambassador” to create extraordinary results in ordinary work, promoting Macao’s strengths with a heartfelt commitment, and tell compelling “China’s stories” with a global vision, showcasing the responsibility and commitment of CityUers.

 

During the ceremony, Academician Michael Batty received the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa, Academician Fang Binxing received the degree of Doctor of Science honoris causa, and Professor Su Tong received the degree of Doctor of Letters honoris causa. Due to a prior obligation, Professor Su did not attend the ceremony in person; instead, he received the degree of Doctor of Letters honoris causa and delivered a thank-you speech via a video recording.

 

At the ceremony, Rector Jun Liu read out the citation for Academician Michael Batty, highlighting his pioneering and leading role in the field of contemporary urban science. Prof. Batty is a foreign academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a fellow of the British Academy (FBA) and the Royal Society (FRS), as well as a professor at University College London and chair of the Bartlett Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA).

 

Vice Rector Zhou Wanlei read out the citation for Academician Fang Bingxing. Academician Fang is an expert in information networks and information security, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and director of the National Engineering Research Center of Information Security. He also serves as president of the Chinese Information Processing Society of China, chairman of the Cyberspace Security Talent Education Alliance of China, chairman of the Cyberspace Security Innovation Alliance on Emerging Technology of China, president of the Cyberspace Security Industry Association of Macao, and honorary dean of the School of Cyberspace Security at Guangzhou University.

 

Vice Rector Ip Kuai Peng read out the citation for Professor Su Tong (Tong Zhonggui). Professor Su is a prominent contemporary Chinese writer, distinguished professor at Beijing Normal University, member of the Presidium of the China Writers Association, and vice president of the Jiangsu Writers Association.

 

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Doctoral graduate Wu Longsheng from the Faculty of Finance, master’s graduate Cheang Ka Lai from the School of Education, and bachelor’s student Feng Yu from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences delivered their speeches representing the fellow graduates, sharing their experiences, achievements, insights, and growth at CityU, as well as their expectations for the future.

 

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