The 16th Anniversary Celebration
M.U.S.T. Conferred Honorary Doctor Degree upon 6 Outstanding Scholars

In celebration of the University’s 16th Anniversary, M.U.S.T. held a Ceremony for Conferment of Honorary Doctor Degree at 3 pm on March 31 in the D Hall of the University. Representative of the Chief Executive of the Macau Special Administrative Region, Dr. Chui Sai On, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Dr. Alexis Tam Chon Weng officiated the Ceremony, adding tremendous glories to the event.

At the Ceremony for Conferment of Honorary Doctor Degree, M.U.S.T. conferred honorary doctor degrees upon six worldly renowned outstanding scholars; they are Dr. Erwin Neher, Dr. Bai Chun Li, Dr. Zhou Qi Feng, Dr. Lin Yi Fu, Dr. Yang Fu Qing, and Dr. Ye Pei Jian. German biophysicist, Laureate for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, Prof. Erwin Neher broke new path for making known the development mechanisms of many diseases that pose great threats for human health; Prof. Bai Chun Li, renowned scientist, has long been committed to studies on Chemistry and nanotechnology; he is a leading figure in the science research community and has demonstrated extraordinary leadership skills; Prof. Zhou Qi Feng is a renowned polymer chemist, his research mainly focuses on the field of polymer synthesis and liquid crystalline polymers and has generated many ground-breaking innovative research outcomes; Prof. Lin Yi Fu is an economist who has great influence on the Chinese economics community as well as the international economics field; his academic achievements and economic viewpoints have brought about a new outlook for China’s Opening and Reform and for the development of the world economy; Prof. Yang Fu Qing, computer software scientist, founded China’s first software engineering program; she campaigned to advance China’s software industry and her achievements have become a milestone for the leaping development of the industry; Prof. Ye Pei Jian is a renowned space scientist and deep space exploration expert, he is the Chief Commander and Chief Designer of the Orbital Lunar Exploration Program and the Chang’e 1 satellite system, he’s made legend in China’s spacecraft development history. It’s a pity that Prof. Zhou Qi Feng and Prof. Lin Yi Fu could not attend the Ceremony due to work affairs; the University would confer the honorary doctor degrees for them later.

Guests who have attended the Ceremony include Mr. Sun Da, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao S.A.R., Mr. Pu Hai Long, Deputy Director of the Culture and Education Department, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau S.A.R., Mr. Cai Si Ping, Deputy Commissioner 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. Sou Chio Fai, Director of the Tertiary Education Services Office, Macao S.A.R., Mr. Lao Pun Lap, Director of the Policy Studies Office of the Macao S.A.R. Government, Ms Kuok Sio Lai, Acting Director of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Ms. Ho Kuai Leng, Member of the Administrative Committee of Macau Foundation, Mr. Cheong Iok Kuan, Acting President of the Academy of Public Security Forces of Macau, members of the MUST Foundation, the University Council, and the Advisory Committee, and representatives of other government units, scholarship-providing institutions, higher institutions, and secondary schools. The guests and the MUST teachers and students jointly witnessed the historical moment; the far-reaching aspirations, noble characters, extraordinary achievements, perseverant exploration, and innovative spirit of the honorary doctors greatly inspired the MUSTers, who would take the honorary doctors as role models in pursing their own dreams.

When addressing the Ceremony, President Liu Liang noted that the six outstanding scholars who were awarded honorary doctors today have all made remarkable achievements in education, economy, science and technology, or other fields; they’ve made significant contributions for the development of the society as well as for the well-being of human beings; on behalf of M.U.S.T., the President gave the highest regards and the warmest congratulations to the six distinguished scholars. As the largest-scale comprehensive university in Macau, M.U.S.T. has the historical responsibilities to foster excellent talents that are equipped with professional expertise, humanistic qualities, innovative spirits, and international outlooks. Although to conduct science is a long journey that takes time and multiple approaches and to conduct education and foster talents is a project that could take a hundred years, President Liu Liang strongly believes that with the support and help from the Central Government, the Macau S.A.R. Government, and the social communities, as well as the unwithering efforts of all MUSTers, the University is not far from the day when it becomes a university with international impacts.
　　
As the representative of the honorary doctors, Prof. Erwin Neher gave a thank-you speech at the Ceremony; he noted that like the other five honorary doctors, he felt deeply honored to be able to receive the honorary doctor degree from M.U.S.T.. Prof. Neher called for attention to some seemingly unsolvable difficulties facing today’s world and pointed out that irrespective of the unsettling events that surround us the mankind’s quest for greater knowledge in all areas has never stopped. Despite all circumstances, on our way to greater knowledge, the life of the mind always thrived.

Dr. Tam Chon Weng, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau S.A.R. also delivered a speech at the Ceremony, saying that he was very happy to represent Dr. Chui Sai On, the Chief Executive of the Macau S.A.R., to attend the Ceremony; he extended heart-felt congratulations to the six honorary doctors. Secretary Tam noted that M.U.S.T. has been a vigorous university that’s achieved fast development and has become a large-scale comprehensive university in Macau as well as a top university in the Greater China. He pointed out that in recent years M.U.S.T. has been adopting the policy of attaching equal importance to both teaching and research, giving priority to development of excellent quality education and extraordinary research, and moving forward the University’s internationalization, which has added new impetus for the University’s further development in the future. Secretary Tam believes that the master scholars who received the honorary doctors from the University today would provide new momentum for the University in its goal of reaching further heights; he encouraged the University to install an international vision, rely on the motherland, root in Macau, seize the opportunities, highlight its educational characteristic, and foster disciplinary strengths so as to enable the University to become stronger in all regards and to make more contributions in advancing Macau’s higher education and research capacity.

Following the Ceremony, the honorary doctors were invited to attend a dialogue meeting with the MUST students, where the four scholars addressed questions from the students and shared their insights on university, career, and life, which was warmly received and responded by the MUST students.