City University of Macau Remains Committed to Developing the Local Talents

Macau S.A.R. Government has agreed to lease part of the campus of the University of Macau to the City University of Macau. On learning the news, staff and students of City University of Macau were greatly inspired and enthusiastic. City University of Macau plans to best use valuable campus resources by placing more emphasis on the social and economic development of Macau and remains committed to the development of local talents. At the new starting point, all the staff and students of City University of Macau will definitely make great efforts in building City U into a university with distinct characteristics which provides quality education for all. 

With its development of over thirty years, City University of Macau has now grown into a modest-sized multiversity with higher social influence and popularity. However, the further development of City U has persistently been hindered by the insufficiency of school premises. City U applied for the original site of the University of Macau amidst the UM plans of moving to the Hengqin new site. The application of City U won the support of Macau S.A.R. Government.

• Same origin and abreast development: As a non-profit-making multiversity, City University of Macau shares the same origin with the University of Macau and the two universities have kept abreast development. Asia International Open University (Macau) was officially renamed City University of Macau (Portuguese: Universidad da Cicada de Macau) in February 2011 with the approval of Macau S.A.R. Government. It is fully understandable that as it grows and develops, City University of Macau goes back to its original campus.

Rooted in Macau and serves the interest of Macau: Inheriting the tradition and history of the first official university in Macau set up by the Chinese people, City University of Macau has taken roots deep into the ground of Macau for over thirty years and has made great social contribution and cultivated a great number of talents for Macau. Many distinguished alumni of City U are spread all over Macau and the rest of the world. As a university rooted in Macau and focusing on contributing to local social and economic development, City U deserves more attention and necessary resources, including a favorable campus as a basic factor of education and research optimization.

Active expansion and rapid development: After it was renamed, City University of Macau has rapidly developed with over 3700 full time students by 2014. In response to the One Platform, Three Centers construction policy of Macau S.A.R. Government, City U opened programs in International Hospitality and Tourism Management, Arts in Design, and Applied Economics, which are now popular choices for students in Macau. The percentage of local students in City U is up to 80%, which fully proves the effort of City U in developing talents for the needs of Macau. Inappropriate for such efforts is the reality that the healthy and sustainable development of City U has persistently been hindered by the lack of integrated school premises.

Social approval and industrial support: City University of Macau has realized compelling development in recent years and has gained extensive social and industrial approval. To encourage academic exchange and collaboration, City University of Macau has signed cooperation agreements with tertiary institutes all around the globe, including the Florida International University and Florida State University in the United States, “Groupe Ecole Supérieure de Commerce Troyes en Champagne” in France, Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management in the United Arab Emirates, and Middlesex University in Great Britain. Moreover, a great number of local and foreign enterprises and institutions have provided opportunities and internships for students of City U.

Quality first and brand highlighted: Quality management has always been the top priority in the development of City University of Macau. Taking FITM as an example, the Master program of International Hospitality and Tourism Management of the FITM, the first tourism-related graduate program winning the UNWTO TedQual Certificate in Macau, is a showcase of the management of City U. Meanwhile, international certification of bachelor and doctoral programs of International Hospitality and Tourism Management is underway.

The decision of Macau S.A.R. Government on undertaking the plan of leasing part of the UM campus to City University of Macau, based on cautious consideration and extensive consultation and evaluation, is to support the sustainable development of City U. However, it does not have to mean that the future development of City U would be focused on expansion, instead, City U will keep focus on building a high quality modest-sized university cultivating diverse talents for Macau.

The vision of City University of Macau is to inherit the culture and tradition of Macau, to confer the soul of the city, to disseminate the quintessence of a university, and to develop into an influential multiversity. City University of Macau would make best use of all resources, attract excellent talents from all around the world, and build internationally-branded study and practice platforms. By building new support facilities and optimizing hardware and software, City U  provides better educational services and resources for students. Meanwhile, City U continues to encourage students to innovate and to learn for practice for the overall promotion and development of their qualities. City University of Macau remains active in international communication and cooperation and makes efforts for the prosperity and sustainable development of Macau and surrounding areas.