CityU and East China Normal University Jointly Established the Ministry of Education Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at Universities

In order to promote the development of education in Macao, strengthen cooperation and exchange between Macao and mainland China in the area of higher education, work in line with the requirements of “China’s Education Modernization 2035” and the requirements of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Plan, the City University of Macau and East China Normal University jointly established the Ministry of Education Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at Universities - Institute of Macau Education Development. The plague unveiling ceremony cum Forum on Development of Basic Education in Macao were held at the Taipa campus of CityU.

CityU Vice Rector Zhou Wanlei pointed out in his speech that the plague unveiling ceremony signified the beginning of a new cooperation platform for Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at Universities in Macao. It also marked the establishment of a long-term, systemized, high-level and stable cooperation mechanism between the two universities based on the foundation of previous cooperation for working together to drive the progress of education in the two places. Xun Yuan, Executive Deputy Director of the Faculty of Education at East China Normal University, sent his congratulations on the plague unveiling of the Key Institute during a video speech, and on behalf of the Ministry of Education, wished the Key Institute rapid development and hoped it would make unique contributions to the education of the two universities and the country. Vice President Zhou and Director Li Zhengtao of the “Ministry of Education Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at Universities - The Institute of Schooling Reform and Development” at East China Normal University unveiled the plague together. CityU Pro-Rector Ip Kuai Peng presented a certificate of appointment to Ms. Leong Lai, member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, former Director of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau of Macao, an expert in the field of basic education in Macao, consultant of the School of Education of CityU and Li Zhengtao, a Distinguished Professor of the School of Education.

At the subsequent Forum on Development of Basic Education in Macao, Ms Leong Lai talked about the characteristics of basic education in Macao. She then reviewed the government's education system, reform of teaching materials and preferential policies for pursuing further studies for the periods before and after the return of sovereignty of Macao and presented the outlook for those areas. Ms Leong concluded her speech by taking stock of the remarkable achievements of Macao’s basic education in terms of promoting national identity, increasing financial commitment and promoting equity and improving the quality.

Prof Li Zhengtao spoke positively of Macao’s basic education in Macau for being a model and a sample.  He then talked about the Institute of Schooling Reform and Development of East China Normal University from the perspective of research units, research content and research methods and compared what the two institutes had in common and where they could integrate.  He looked forward to innovation of the mechanism, methods and theories of teaching and research in China by the Ministry of Education Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at Universities jointly set up by the two universities.

Pro-Rector Li Shuying, who is also the Dean of the School of Education, welcomed the two experts to join the School and presented an overview of the School of Education, the basic concept of the Key Research Institute and the curriculum design concept of “Focus on One Moment, Beyond One Moment”.  He hoped that the School of Education would be able to reach a higher level in the areas of research, teaching and cultivation of talent with the assistance of the consultants and the Key Research Institute.

In future, it is hoped that based on the new platform, the two universities will continue to expand the scope of exchange, innovate the mode of cooperation, jointly conduct research projects, organize academic conferences and forums, publish academic journals, promote discussion of current education issues and issues relating to education in practice.

Also present at the plague unveiling ceremony were: Wong Ka Ki, Head of Education Department, Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Fong Ka Kin, Head of Division at Higher Education Bureau, Cheang Hong Kuong, Chairperson of the Board of Directors,

Cheang Kit Chio, Principal of The Workers' Children High School, Chan Kin Pong, Principal, Kwong Tai Middle School, Ieong Pui Ian, Director of Studies, Pui Ching Middle School and teachers and postgraduates students from CityU School of Education.

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Source: CityU Reporter

Editor: Xu Zhibin

Photos: Chen Junwei