“Transforming Higher Education Institutions: A Balanced Development” is the theme for second Macau Forum (the first Macau Forum was held in 2013). To focus on the discussions on this theme, a University Presidents Forum 2015 was held on the campus of Macau University of Science and Technology, Nov. 3-5, 2015. Officiating guests of the forum are：Mr. Edmund Ho, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Mr. Sun Da, Vice Director of Liaison Office of Central People’s government in the Macao S.A.R., Mr. Liu Chak Wan, Chancellor of Macau University of Science and Technology, Mr. Sou Chio Fai, Director of Tertiary Education Services Office of the Government of the Macao S.A.R., Mr. Wang Zhi Wei, Vice Director of the Office for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs, the Ministry of Education of the P.R.C., Mr. Zhang Yu, Vice president of Administrative Committee of Macau Foundation, Ms. Li Nam, Director of Public Diplomacy and Information Department of Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao. S.A.R., Mr. ZHOU LIGAO, Chairman of University Council, Chair Prof. Liu Liang, President of Macau University of Science and Technology.
Presidents, Rectors, and Vice Presidents from 18 institutions of higher education from Macau, Spain, Portugal, the United States, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland China participated in this Forum. “Higher education plays a very crucial role in the development of a nation or a region, in view of its forward linkage with the corporate world, as well as, society at large” as Chair Professor Liu Liang, President of M.U.S.T welcomed the Forum participants, which pointed to the close relationships between higher education and society. Discussions focused on the main theme of “transforming higher education institutions using balanced development” from the perspectives of challenges and opportunities that may derive from higher education diversification, transforming and reinventing institutional mission & developmental goals for HEIs, and trends and visions of institutional development for HEIs in the Asia-Pacific. President Liu also noted that ever since Macau returned to China, it has achieved all-around progress in economy, society, education, culture and research, and that to open this Forum has been a great move in line with the Macau government's strategy of “Prospering Macau by Fostering Talents”, which is bound to move forward Macau’s higher education development.
The Forum would also bring positive impact on higher education sector in Macau, as stated by Sou Chio Fai, director of Tertiary Education Services Office in his welcome speech, pointing to the efforts the Macau Government has been making in enhancing the quality of educational services provided by institutions of higher education in Macau. No matter how big or small the country or region is, the impact that higher education produces can be very significant. To better position higher education sector, Macau Government has been in action with work in several areas: revision of its Higher Education Act, expecting to provide a more appropriate alignment in quality assurance mechanism for enhancing education quality for institutions of higher education in Macau, for strengthening institutional governance capacity, for instituting more empowerment for institutional responsibility in curriculum development and curriculum currency maintenance, and for capacity development of the teaching staff. This Forum is such a fitting platform where issues confronting higher education are being discussed, solutions being explored, and consensus being reached. I am sure that this Forum will provide one of the best platforms for exchanging your views, experiences and successful stories in the field of higher education.
Mr. Wang Zhi Wei, Vice Director of the Office for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs, the Ministry of Education of the PRC states that the development of higher education of Macao has reached remarkable success since the sovereign of Macao has been transferred to China in 1999. Most of the curricula, teachers and the general quality of teaching have reached an internationally accepted level. Mr Wong concluded that, benefited from the “One Country Two Systems” principle, the higher education in Macao has served well local people in Macao, contributed to its ultimate goal of building a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure and the Platform for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries, and speeded up the development of Macao as well.
Questions were also entertained from the audience, which made the interactions between Forum participants and the audience more enlightening on shared concerns confronting higher education. Participating presidents explored and discussed practices on their campuses, reflected and offered their views on those issues during their presentations.
