Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of Macao SAR Cheong U was invited by the University of Macau (UM) to go hiking with its staff and students. Secretary Cheong expressed his hope that UM staff and students could take time out of their busy schedule to participate more in cultural and recreational activities so as to help UM achieve more.

 

At 9:30 on the morning of 13 October, UM students, staff and their family members gathered at the Circular Plaza of Seac Pai Van Park, where Secretary Cheong officiated at the kick-off ceremony. At the ceremony, Secretary Cheong said: “The cool autumn is just the perfect time for hiking. I’m very happy to have the opportunity to hike and chat with UM staff and students. I’m sure we are going to have a delightful morning together.” He also expressed his hope that UM staff and students could take time out of their busy schedule to participate more in cultural and recreational activities because by striking a proper balance between work and personal life they would be able to work better and help UM achieve more. He also expressed good wishes—he wished everyone health and happiness, wished UM staff more verve at work, wished UM students greater progress, and wished UM further development. He expressed his hope that UM and the SAR government could make a joint effort to well develop the new campus and make the future of Macao more prosperous.

 

UM Rector Wei Zhao, who also participated in the hiking, said that the hiking was very meaningful because it was in response to a promise Secretary Cheong’s made to UM staff and students early this year. He noted that the starting point of the hike, as well as the entire hiking path and facilities in Coloane and Taipa, still exist today because of Secretary Cheong who, over a decade ago, proposed maintaining the facilities through legislation to the government, and through over a decade of efforts, various sports facilities are now available for use by every resident. Rector Wei Zhao expre

ssed his hope that UM staff and students could follow Secretary Cheong’s advice to participate more in cultural and recreational activities and to work together with a shared goal in mind: to develop UM into a world-class university.

Over a hundred UM staff and students participated in the hiking that day, with Secretary Cheong and Rector Wei Zhao leading the way. Participants walked and chatted amid a relaxed atmosphere. Along the way, guides thoughtfully arranged by the IACM in advance explained interesting knowledge about hiking and plants. At one spot on the hiking route, from which the new campus site was visible in the distance, participants became very excited and took out their cameras for picture-taking. Seeing some of the buildings standing on the construction site, participants said they looked forward to the day when the new campus is finally put into use. Chang Kin Ian, a UM student from the Department of History, thought the hiking was fun. “I seldom have the chance to go out in the nature,” said Chang. “This is really a great opportunity for me to breathe the fresh air and stretch my body and go hiking with the rector. More importantly, I had the chance to look at the new campus and the underwater tunnel from a distance. The new campus did look very big. I’m very excited.” After the hiking, UM arranged a tea gathering at Seac Pai Van Park for the participants. The entire activity ended at around 11:00.

 

Should you have any inquiries about the press release, please feel free to contact Ms. Kay Lai at8538397 4325 or  kaylai@um.edu.mo or visit UM webpage www.umac.mo.