Sailing into the Bright
Future The 2025 Congregation of MUST was Successfully Held

The Congregation

The 2025 Congregation of Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) was successfully held at the University’s Block R Academic Complex on the morning of June 7, 2025. Mr. Sam Hou Fai, Chief Executive of the Macao SAR officiated the ceremony. Distinguished guests included Mr. Lyu Yuyin, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR; Ms. Ma Naifang, Director of the Department of Policy Research at the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR; Mr. Teng Siohong, Acting Director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao SAR; Dr. Liu Chak Wan, Chancellor of MUST; Dr. Chui Sai Cheong, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the MUST Foundation; Dr. Eddie Wong Yue Kai, Chairman of the Advisory Committee of MUST; members of the MUST Foundation, the University Council, and the Advisory Board, as well as government officials, major enterprises, scholarship sponsors, associations, societies, representatives from local universities and secondary schools, parents, friends, and faculty members. The ceremony celebrated the students’ successful completion of their studies marking a significant milestone in their lives.

Mr. Sam Hou Fai, Chief Executive of the Macao SAR inspected MUST

Before the congregation ceremony, Chief Executive Mr. Sam Hou Fai visited MUST campus company by Dr. Liu Chak Wan, Chancellor of MUST and Dr. Chen Hi Min, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of University Council. Inspected the State Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Science, the Data Center for Science and Application of Macau Satellites as well as the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine of MUST.

Approximately 6,300 graduates (including around 450 doctors, 2,800 masters and 3,050 bachelors) from various faculties and institutes participated in the ceremony, which was also broadcast live online, allowing everyone to witness this important moment of graduates embarking on a new journey in life. Facilities will also hold separate congregation ceremonies on the following days respectively.

Mr. Sam Hou Fai, Chief Executive of the Macao SAR delivered speech

Mr. Sam Hou Fai, Chief Executive of the Macao SAR said in his speech，The Macao SAR Government will join hands with society to provide more opportunities, greater platforms, and better environments for students and the younger generation to demonstrate their talents, pursue their aspirations, and realize their ambitions. The government will continue supporting young generation’s growth, development, and success, ensuring the flame of patriotism and love for Macao to pass on through generations, and that the cause of "One Country, Two Systems" is carried forward by capable successors. He continued, since establishment, MUST has focused on enhancing both the scale and quality of its student while developing distinctive and preeminent research fields. It has achieved remarkable accomplishments in talent cultivation, academic research, contributing to Macao's development, and serving national needs – accomplishments widely recognized by all. The university has consistently grown and progressed alongside the Macao SAR. In December last year, President Xi Jinping inspected MUST and talked with students and researchers, offering invaluable guidance and encouragement. This visit not only signifies the government's affirmation and encouragement for MUST's teachers, students, and alumni, but also fully demonstrates the Central Government's high regard and strong support for Macao's education and scientific research endeavours.

Chief Executive Mr. Sam Hou Fai expressed, the present period and the time ahead represent a crucial phase in advancing and rejuvenating the Chinese nation through a Chinese path to modernization. The practice of "One Country, Two Systems" has also entered a new stage. Students gathered here from worldwide to pursue knowledge together, they are a vital new force in building a strong nation and achieving national rejuvenation. The enduring affection for Macao and deep understanding of its unique context make these students an essential ambassadors for sharing Macao’s successful "One Country, Two Systems" story with the world. He encouraged students to anchor themselves in the new realities and requirements of our times. As Macao integrates into the national development landscape and expands its reach through internal connectivity and external outreach, students should actively contribute to deepening exchanges and fostering cooperation between Macao and the mainland, advance the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and promote high quality advancement of the Belt and Road Initiative. In this historic journey of building a strong nation and rejuvenating the Chinese nation, may students fulfil their aspirations while letting their youth radiate brilliance across the vast arena of building a better Macao and serving our great motherland.

Vice Chancellor and President of MUST, Chari Prof. Joseph Hun-wei LEE delivered speech

Vice Chancellor and President of MUST, Chair Prof. Joseph Hun-wei LEE stated in his speech that this year marks MUST’s 25th Anniversary. Starting in 2000 from humble beginnings with "one door, one building", MUST has become an internationally recognised university with nine faculties/divisions and a student enrollment exceeding 23,000. In December of last year, we were extremely honoured by the visit of President Xi Jinping who affirmed our achievements in education and scientific research and our contributions to Macao.

MUST is a university on the move. For six consecutive years, MUST has ranked among the world’s top 300 universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, and 38th in the 2024 THE Young University Rankings. The success of the “Macao Science 1” satellite – now two years in orbit collecting high precision data of the Earth’s magnetic field also attracted numerous top European space scientists to collaborate with Macao in this exciting scientific venture.  The prowess of MUST in translational medicine has also been recognized by the first "Technological Invention Award (First Class)" ever awarded in Macao, for its discovery of the molecular basis of the efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) – which opened a brand new chapter for the design of novel drugs. MUST scholars have also won the most prestigious international prizes in paediatric surgery and water management. This year also saw the graduation of the first batch of MBBS medical students, with external validation of rigorous international standards benchmarked against UK and Portugal, and the establishment of new departments of music and space science and technology.  We have also introduced a signature AI-MUST course for all 1500 UG students, taught by an inter-disciplinary team of scholars to introduce the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI) and to cultivate the awareness of the power and limitations of AI in science, health, sustainability, art, business and law at a very young age. 2024 QS Asia Pacific Higher Education Summit and the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Asian Universities Summit was successfully hosted, showcasing Macao and MUST to hundreds of international university leaders from all over the world. 

Finally, President LEE expressed that just as the invention of the camera profoundly influenced the 19th century impressionist art movement, the wave of AI is rapidly changing everything we do. AI has penetrated almost every field in research; generative AI tools such as DeepSeek and ChatGPT are rapidly becoming everybody’s digital assistant. The 4th industrial revolution creates boundless opportunities and we are all competing on a more level playing field with the unleashing of brilliant and accessible technologies. I hope graduates will remember the core value of MUST as they step out in the uncertain world, believe in yourself, believe in your values, and you will succeed.

Graduate Representatives delivered their speech 

Graduate representatives from the Master of Arts in Communication program of the Faculty of Humanities and Arts Zhang Zhenyi and graduate from the Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery program of Faculty of Medicine Li Yan Wa reflected on their memory in this campus and expressed, here we have learned to think critically, embrace diverse cultures, and grow in the face of setbacks. We have witnessed how MUST responds to the demands of the era through scientific research. Looking back to day when we repeatedly analyzed data sets in the laboratory or debated theories in classes, we have already became practitioners of the spirit of university motto “意誠格物” (“Dedication to practical studies, Enhancement of knowledge, Ability and Quality"). The power of science and technology lies in benefiting mankind. Whether we will be engineers, entrepreneurs, or educators in the future, we will always keep this original intention in mind.

Group Photo of the Joint Meeting

During the morning of the same day, MUST held the second joint meeting of the MUST Foundation, the University Council, and the University Advisory Committee for the 2024/2025 Academic Year in the N101 Hall. 48 foundation members, University directors, and advisory committee members attended the meeting. The meeting was moderated by Dr. Chui Sai Cheong, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the MUST Foundation. Chairman of the University Council Dr. Liu Chak Wan expressed during the recent visit of the Ministry of Education, it was mentioned that digital education is an important policy in the future, he believes that the vision for the future university can be explored within the Macao region. President LEE then reported on the University’s 2024/2025 academic year work summary and development plan. Vice President Tong Ka Lok reported on the University’s recent financial status. Dr. Eddie Wong Yue Kai, Chairman of University Advisory Committee, reported about the Committee. Regarding the recommendations for the future development of the University, Mr. Lei Pui Lam, Member of University Council expressed appreciation to MUST's development, he suggested that the university could refer to higher education institutions worldwide when defining its developmental direction, he also emphasized the need to maintain close cooperation with the government to create an linkage effect. Prof. Xu Ao Ao acknowledged the MUST's achievements over the past year and encouraged university to actively cultivate and develop new quality productive forces with international competitiveness. 

A flag raising was held on the same day morning at 8 a.m.

Flag Raising Ceremony