University of Macao
The
University of Macau is a public institution
of higher learning dedicated to the creation, transmission and diffusion
of culture, science and technology. It was created by Decree-Law 50/91/M,
of September 16, and in accordance with Decree-Law 11/ 91/M, of February
4, which established regulations for higher education in the territory
of Macau. The University's charter was approved on February 3, 1992.
A decade earlier, in March 1981, the University of East Asia (U.E.A.) had been founded as a private institution with the support of the government of Macau, which gave land in lease for the campus on Taipa Island. In February of 1988 the Macau Foundation purchased U.E.A. and initiated a process of significant transformation, considering the need to train local management-level personnel to cope with the demands of the period of transition to Chinese sovereignty and the future beyond.
Subsequently, in September 1991, university and pre-university level programmes were transferred from U.E.A. to the administration of the new University of Macau.
The purposes of the University of Macau are as follows:
- To conduct higher
education at university level; To promote scientific research;
- To encourage the diffusion of knowledge;
- To stimulate and promote the cultural, artistic, scientific, technological, economic and social development of Macau;
- To train management-level personnel required for the development of Macau;
- To contribute to the development of social, cultural, leisure and sports activities for the benefit of the community;
- To participate in the protection of Macau's cultural heritage and environment; To promote academic, cultural, and social events relevant to the University's prestige;
- To encourage cultural, scientific and technical interchange with similar institutions, especially those of Portugal and China.
- To contribute to the betterment of relationships between East and West, thus enhancing the traditional role of Macau.
- To contribute, in its scope of action, to the co-operation and closeness between peoples of different nations, especially to the deepening of Luso-Chinese contacts and friendship.