For the first time, the University of Macau, Macao Polytechnic University and Macao University of Tourism jointly opened the academic year at the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town on September 8.
The joint opening ceremony for the 2026/2027 academic year was held at the first-phase campus of the university town in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
The outline of the national 15th Five-Year Plan calls for advancing the development of the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town and supporting Macao universities in extending operations into Hengqin.
The launch of the first-phase campus marks a substantive step in extending Macao's higher education into Hengqin. The university town is designed to integrate education, technology and talent development, leveraging the complementary strengths of Macao and Hengqin and contributing to integration and development.
The university town is being developed in three phases. The overall project is expected to be completed by 2030.
More than 1,450 postgraduate students have enrolled at the first-phase campus this academic year, studying in emerging fields including artificial intelligence, microelectronics, big data and the Internet of Things, as well as cultural and creative industries management.
The universities shared their development plans centred on the 'one university, two campuses' extended educational operations model and the 'trinity' collaborative education approach.
Students can already sit in on courses offered by the other universities this semester. From next year, cross-university course selection and credit recognition for extra majors will be rolled out across the three institutions.
O Lam, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, encouraged students to make the most of the new Macao-Hengqin development framework, strengthen their sense of responsibility to the country and broaden their international outlook.
Reporter | Dai Bosi
Photos | Hengqin Online
