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University of Macau

Founded in 1981, the University of Macau (UM) is the comprehensive research-oriented public university of international standing in Macao. Located on the South China Sea, Macao is a dynamic coastal city that serves as a bridge between China and Portuguese-speakingcountries and as a key hub in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. This distinctive setting shapes UM’s international outlook and cross-cultural character.
UM offers a comprehensive range of academic programmes supported by strong teaching and research. It provides more than 130 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programmes spanning the arts and humanities, social sciences, business, education, law, science and technology, applied physics and materialsengineering, data science, health sciences,and Chinese medical sciences, with over 16,800 students enrolled. In the Essential Science Indicators (ESI) database, UM is ranked in the top 1% globally in 16 research fields, among which Engineering, Computer Science, and Pharmacology & Toxicology are placed in the top 0.1%.
Research underpins UM’s academic strength. The university’s research strategy brings together three state key laboratories—focused on Chinese medicine, analog and mixed-signal VLSI, and the Internet of Things for smart cities—alongside major initiatives in emerging fields such as precision medicine, advanced materials, and regional oceanography, as well as interdisciplinary areas including artificial intelligence and robotics, data science, and cognitive and brain sciences. In the humanities and social sciences, dedicated research platforms such as the Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, the Centre for Macao Studies, and the Asia-Pacific Academy of Economics and Management further enhance the university’s research profile.
Internationalisation is central to the UM experience. Around 80% of its academic staff are recruited from outside Macao, and English is the primary medium of instruction. The university maintains partnerships with more than 350 higher education institutions in over 40 countries and regions, including collaborative training programmes with world-renowned universities. Students benefit from exchange opportunities at over 200 partner institutions in more than 30 countries and regions, as well as a broad range of local and international internships, which enhance their global competitiveness.
At the heart of UM’s educational philosophy is its distinctive ‘4-in-1’ whole-person education model, which integrates discipline-specific education, general education, research and internship education, and community and peer education. Delivered collaboratively by faculties and residential colleges, the model ensures that students benefit from both academic and experiential learning. The residential college system, consisting of ten colleges, brings together students from different disciplines and cultural backgrounds to live and learn in a vibrant community setting. Through structured experiential programmes, the colleges help students develop seven core competencies: responsible citizenship, global competitiveness, knowledge integration, teamwork and collaboration, service and leadership, cultural engagement, and healthy lifestyle.

University of Macau

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