Macao-Hengqin synergy opens a new chapter for higher education in Macao
University of Macau rector discusses the university’s extended operations under the ‘one university, two campuses’ model
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As the University of Macau (UM) celebrates its 45th anniversary, it is entering an exciting new stage of growth. According to Prof Yonghua Song, rector of UM, the accelerated development of both the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin has created new opportunities for UM’s development. In addition to its main campus in Macao, UM is developing a new campus in the Cooperation Zone. The new campus is scheduled for completion in 2029.
Extending operations under the ‘one university, two campuses’ model
UM has extended operations into Hengqin under the ‘one university, two campuses’ model. Through the coordinated development of its main campus in Macao and its campus in the Cooperation Zone, the university aims to build a more internationally competitive platform for higher education, research, and innovation. The two campuses will operate under an integrated cross-border management framework, with consistent systems and standards for administration, operations, teaching and learning, and academic quality assurance. This approach will enable UM to leverage the respective strengths of Macao and Hengqin, share resources across the two campuses, and promote their coordinated development.
Prof Yonghua Song, rector of UM
The first phase of the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town in Hengqin is now in operation. Students from 23 postgraduate programmes offered by UM’s Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Information Science and Computing, Faculty of Engineering, and Faculty of Design have begun their studies and research activities at UM’s teaching site there, supported by academic and administrative staff assigned by the university. This marks a significant milestone in UM’s extension of operations into Hengqin. The new model not only enables UM to expand beyond the geographical limitations of its main campus, but also creates greater room for its future development.
The first phase of the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town is now in operation
Prof Song said the two campuses will assume distinct but complementary roles, each building on its respective strengths. The main campus will focus on the basic sciences, humanities, and social sciences, while continuing to consolidate the university’s established academic strengths. It will also further develop UM’s ‘4-in-1’ whole-person education model, which aims to nurture talent with professional expertise, a strong grounding in the humanities, and a global outlook.
Rendering of UM’s campus in the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin
UM’s campus in the Cooperation Zone, meanwhile, will focus on emerging fields in science and technology, with priority given to medicine, engineering, information technology, artificial intelligence, and design. It will seek to become a hub for future-oriented technological innovation. Drawing on Hengqin’s geographical advantages and industrial resources, the campus will promote closer integration of education, talent development, innovation, and industry, helping accelerate the translation of research outcomes into real-world applications.
UM’s academic structure across two campuses
Advancing UM’s development strategy and contributing to national development
The ‘one university, two campuses’ model is more than an expansion of UM’s physical space; it represents a significant step forward in the university’s overall development strategy.
Through its extended operations, UM will further integrate resources in Macao and Hengqin, expand its international research collaboration network, and deepen ties with cities in the Greater Bay Area as well as universities and research institutions at home and abroad. These efforts will also help attract outstanding scholars and young talent from across the globe.
At the same time, the campus in the Cooperation Zone will serve as an important base for innovative research, high-calibre talent development, and the translation of research outcomes, further strengthening UM’s standing in the global higher education landscape.
As UM marks its 45th anniversary and embarks on a new stage of development, the ‘one university, two campuses’ initiative represents more than an expansion of its campus infrastructure. It is an important step towards UM’s goal of becoming a ‘first-class university in China with world excellence’.
With deeper integration between the main campus in Macao and the campus in the Cooperation Zone, UM will open a new chapter in the development of higher education through high-quality talent development, more impactful research, and broader international collaboration.