The Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) held the Opening Ceremony for the 2026/2027 academic year at the University’s Block R Academic Complex at 11 am. on September 5th, 2026, with an online broadcast. This academic year, MUST welcomed over 8,600 new students, including approximately 4,500 undergraduates and 4,100 postgraduate students. During the ceremony, MUST conferred the “2025/2026 Teaching Excellence Award” on two teachers in recognition of their outstanding teaching performance. This year’s winners are Professor Li Xiaodong, Vice Dean of Faculty of Innovation Engineering and Assistant Professor Chen Qin of Faculty of Law. MUST also conferred the “2025/2026 Teaching Achievement Award” on Professor Zhao Xi from Faculty of Humanities and Arts and Team from University International College, Associate Professor Hu Bo, Associate Professor Song Haoyan, Associate Professor Wang Ting, Associate Professor Wei Huiping, and Assistant Professor Zhan Jin, Assistant Professor You, Shuxian.

MUST welcomes about 8,600 new students for the 2026/2027 Academic Year

President Zhu Jian-Kang delivers a speech

President of the MUST, Chair Prof. Zhu Jian-Kang, delivered a speech. He first warmly welcomed the new students. He noted that Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) is an institution deeply rooted in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The University fully integrated into overall national development. At the present, the world is transforming at an accelerating pace with the wave of AI sweeping across the globe, while technological innovation profoundly reshaping human society. This year marks the official launch of China’s “15th Five-Year Plan” and the Macao SAR Government's “3rd Five-Year Plan,” presenting a critical moment for MUST to capitalize on the momentum. He then shared three reflections and expectations with the new students, centered around “Teaching, Research, and Transformation and Commercialization of Research and Development.” First, he emphasized that professional knowledge only forms the bedrock, one must boldly step out of the “comfort zone” of their own academic field to explore disciplinary and strive to be a versatile talent in the age of AI. Secondly, he encouraged students to set their own coordinates on their academic journey. The essence of research lies not in chasing trends, but raising questions and pursuing answers to break through interdisciplinary boundaries and discovering vistas unseen by others. Third, he underscored commercialization as the key to creating value, calling on students to put their academic achievements to use and applying it to society and the motherland, so that the seeds of innovation may take root, sprout, blossom, and bear fruit in the GBA. Finally, he offered a heartfelt message to the students: university is the most precious time in life for the pursuit of knowledge, maintain a thirst for learning, transform theory into capability, embrace diverse cultures, and accomplish infinite possibilities.

President Zhu presented University badge to representatives of first-year studens

President Zhu (Middle) conferred the “2025/2026 Teaching Excellence Award” on Professor Li Xiaodong (Left) and Assistant Professor Chen Qin (Right)

President Zhu (4th from the left) conferred the “2025/2026 Teaching Achievement Award” on Professor Zhao Xi, and Associate Professor Hu Bo, Associate Professor Song Haoyan, Associate Professor Wang Ting, Associate Professor Wei Huiping, and Assistant Professor Zhan Jin, Assistant Professor You, Shuxian.

Teacher representative, Professor Li Xiaodong, speaks at the ceremony

Professor Li Xiaodong, Vice Dean of Faculty of Innovation Engineering spoke as teacher representative. He expressed that he was honored to receive the Teaching Excellence Award this year. He has always believed that the greatest reward for a teacher is not an award, but seeing students’ growth. He emphasized that over the next few years, the students will gain new knowledge and face many challenges, yet the most valuable outcome of university is not a transcript, but discovering passion, cultivating independent thinking, and building character. He encouraged students to be brave enough to try and not let the fear of failure keep them from seizing opportunities, Lastly, he reminded students that in the era of AI, embrace technology but continue to think, pursue success and never forget one’s responsibility to society, and to become the best version of oneself.

Teacher representative, Assistant Professor Chen Qin, speaks at the ceremony

Assistant Professor Chen Qin of Faculty of Law also delivered a speech as teacher representative. She Begun with University’s motto: “Dedication to practical studies, enhancement of knowledge, ability, and quality.” She stated that studying in Macao is a call for “Investigation of Things.” because the land beneath one’s feet is itself an open book of centuries of East-West cultural exchange. And each of the majors has a unique way of unfolding in Macao. This city itself is the most vivid classroom for practice. She added, the ultimate end of knowledge is always the human being. With sincerity in academic pursuit, one avoids impatience and perfunctoriness; with sincerity in character, one avoids seeking quick success and immediate gain; with sincerity in treating others, one always retains empathy and kindness. She wished all students to seek truth through the investigation of things, cultivate oneself through sincerity of mind, and grow into young people with competence, warmth, and responsibility on this land.

Undergraduate student representative, Ieong Lok I from the Faculty of Medicine speaks at the ceremony

Ieong Lok I, first year student of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery programme from the Faculty of Medicine. spoke at the ceremony as a representative of undergraduate students. She pointed out that she believes university is like a bridge that allows students to spread their wings. Yet this bridge does not guarantee that dreams will come true, students need to strive toward their goals through own efforts. As stated in the university motto, “Dedication to practical studies, enhancement of knowledge, ability and quality”, she suggested students to stay focused and study diligently and to seize every opportunity proactively and cherish every chance for personal growth. She understood that learning is a journey filled with ups and downs, and encourage students to embrace every challenge that lies ahead. Do not fear setbacks when difficulties arise. Every trial endure will shape resilience and equips us with greater wisdom for the journey ahead.

Liu Yuechen from the Faculty of Medicine, speaks as representative on behalf of new postgraduate students

Liu Yuechen, a first-year PhD student in Biomedical Sciences from the Faculty of Medicine spoke on behalf of new graduate student, she chose one word for this new beginning, “bridge.” During her time at Yale University, she was taught that science knows no borders. Later, at the National Center for Translational Medicine of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, she reached hospitals, doctors, and patients, and she became increasingly convinced that the true power of technology lies in whether it can truly make a difference in people’s lives. It was these experiences that brought her to MUST, a “bridge” toward the future — and she hoped that one day she could become someone who continues to build bridges. She emphasized that technology may have boundaries, but serving humanity should not. Scientific research may have a starting point, but our pursuit of health equity and human well-being has no end. May fellow students here at MUST write their own answers into the future with curiosity, with responsibility, and with purpose.

澳科大舉行2026/2027學年升旗儀式

澳科大於當日上午八時舉行新學年的升旗儀式。