The University of Macau (UM) today (28 November) held the Congregation 2020, which was livestreamed to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Ao Ieong U, representing the chief executive and UM chancellor at this year’s ceremony, said that UM adopted a series of anti-epidemic measures to ensure the smooth progress of teaching and research activities. She also thanked UM for its contributions to the SAR government in its efforts to fight the pandemic. 

Unlike previous graduation ceremonies, this year’s ceremony was livestreamed, with doctoral degrees, master's degrees, postgraduate certificates/diplomas, and bachelor's degrees presented at the same time. Ao Ieong U officiated at the ceremony in the company of UM University Council Chair Lam Kam Seng, UM Rector Yonghua Song, and Vice Rectors Michael Hui, Rui Martins, Ge Wei, and Billy So. Representatives of the University Assembly, University Council, and Senate, as well as government officials, prominent members of the community, UM faculty and staff, and student representatives also witnessed the ceremony. Graduates and their families and friends who were unable to attend the ceremony in person participated in the ceremony online in the three streaming locations on campus. 

In her speech, Ao Ieong U said: ‘The unexpected outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic has brought about unprecedented challenges on the economic and social fronts for the SAR, the country, and the world. Daily teaching and research operations at higher institutions were significantly disrupted as a consequence of the outbreak. The University of Macau has adopted a series of response measures to enable students to “continue learning despite class suspension” and to ensure that teaching and research activities are carried out smoothly, all the while actively supporting the SAR government in its efforts to counter the pandemic. For that, I would like to extend my most sincere appreciation to you all.’

She added: ‘As the teaching and research standards of the University of Macau rise continuously in recent years, the university has assumed relatively important position and advantages at the west bank of the Greater Bay. The SAR government will continue to adhere to the philosophy of ‘helping Macao thrive through education and building Macao with talent’, expanding the intake of non-local students without compromising local students’ access to education. We will also support and encourage institutions to innovate for industry-academia-research collaboration through external cooperation while facilitating the commercialisation of research results and developing industrial parks in a pragmatic and orderly manner. In addition, we will endeavour to enhance education quality, promote sustainable development of higher education and nurture more world-class talents to effectively support the measured diversification of Macao’s economy.’

Rector Song also delivered a speech. In the speech, he said: ‘I am glad that even though students were compelled to stay apart, they cared for and supported each other, and actively participated in the fight against the coronavirus, all the while keeping pace with their studies. Meanwhile, professors held steadfast to their positions and made unremitting efforts to constantly adapt and improve online teaching. Research teams raced against the clock to provide support in response to the coronavirus outbreak. All sections of the university played an active part to facilitate pandemic control and prevention measures in Macao. Concurrently, the university consolidated its internal and external teaching resources to offer SME training courses to the public free of charge. During the pandemic, professors and students demonstrated strong will and dedication, allowing the university to give full play to its capabilities in order to adapt and serve in face of the epidemic. ’ He closed by offering three suggestions to the students, saying: ‘First, more than ever, we should have a sense of patriotism and responsibility. Second, more than ever, we should stay optimistic and persevere. Third, more than ever before, we should keep learning and progress through change.’

Qin Yiwei, representative of the graduates from postgraduate programmes, said in her speech: ’I’ve learned some very important epistemological virtues at the University of Macau: patience (thus never surrender), diligence (thus never stop trying), curiosity (thus not limiting ourselves in the boxes), humbleness (thus not self-centric, and therefore improvement is possible), and courageousness (thus we can stand strong under press and depression). Dear fellow graduates, if you feel depressed or unlucky someday, come back to this very moment, reflect on your UM experience, think about the virtues that we learned here: patience, diligence, curiosity, humbleness, and courageousness. They would urge you not to worry because the best is yet to come.’

Che In Man, representative of graduates from undergraduate programmes, said in her speech: ‘We will carry virtue, tenderness, and sensitivity to one another through our strong action and passion. We will continue to withstand the world ahead of us, sustaining our ambitions and triumphing over challenges. ’

This year, a total of 2,256 students graduated from doctoral, master’s, postgraduate certificate/diploma, and bachelor's degree programmes. They come from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Faculty of Business Administration, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering, and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences. Among them, 38 outstanding students have completed courses offered by the Honours College.