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The European Union (EU) is delighted to announce the winner of the competition for the EU Academic Programme for Macao. The University of Macau (UM), in collaboration with the Institute of European Studies of Macau, won the competition and will work over the next four years on the EU Academic Programme in Macao. The initiative is aimed at encouraging greater awareness and knowledge of the EU through support for EU-focused curriculum development and research, outreach activities and academic links.
The agreement signing ceremony was held on 15 June at UM.
"The European Union's relations with Macao are based on common values, a European heritage and shared interests in economy, environment, education and culture. People-to-people relations are an important pillar for excellent relations between the European Union and Macao. I believe that the EU Academic Programme will be a bridge deepening relations between Macao and the EU in a wide range of fields, from law, culture to social sciences," said Ms Castillo. "Over the next four years, the programme will further cement Macao's status as an Asian city with rich European heritage."
“We believe that the magnitude of the project and the activities pledged are in line with the strategic vision and long term development of the University of Macau. With the new campus to be delivered to us by the end of this year, we are strongly committed to becoming a world-class university with unique regional characteristics. In this respect, our devotion to European studies and our relations with the EU universities and the EU are important components of our strategies to become a world-class university,” said UM Rector Wei Zhao at the agreement signing ceremony. “I would like to address a special word of recognition to Head of the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao, Ms. Maria Castillo. The Programme certainly owes a lot to her enthusiasm and engagement in solidifying the special relation between Macao and Europe. I would also like to express my appreciation to Prof. Paulo Castro and the Faculty of Law of the University of Macau for their hard work and contribution to this project.”
UM will be granted EUR 650, 000, equivalent to approximately 6.5 million patacas, to undertake various activities under the four-year programme.
The main objective of the programme is to build a centre of academic excellence with a view to broadening and deepening EU studies in Macao. It will also serve to develop targeted outreach activities to constituencies beyond the academic circle, in order to promote a better understanding and knowledge of EU as a major player in the global system and as a key bilateral partner of Macao. The programme will also strengthen academic cooperation with European universities.
While details of the programme are being finalized, the official launch of the activities will start in the coming September. The programme will serve three areas, namely academic activities, outreach, and exchanges with European institutions and centres.
- Academic activities: Ideas include EU-related courses, prizes for EU legal studies, studentships and fellowships for faculty.
- Outreach: Plans include summer schools on EU studies, internship programmes, speaker series, social media, TV and radio interviews, talks and essay competitions at high schools, celebration of the EU Day, and workshops targeting alumni, teachers, businesses, officials and legislators.
- Exchanges: European partners include the University of Free Brussels, Maastricht University, Luiss University of Rome, the University of Coimbra, the European University Institute in Firenze, and the Coimbra Group.
Enquiry: Cynthia Wan, Office of the European Union to Hong Kong and Macao (Tel: +852 9301-4177 / +852 2230-5618, Email: wancynthia@yahoo.com / May-Yu-Cynthia.WAN@eeas.europa.eu)
Should you have any query, please feel free to contact Ms. Kay Lai at（853）8397 4325 or kaylai@um.edu.mo or visit UM webpage www.umac.mo.
