Entrance to the UM old campus in Taipa
The University of Macau’s old campus will be allocated to four tertiary education institutions and three government departments, the Tertiary Education Services Office (GAES) announced on Friday. The biggest share will be granted to the Macau Polytechnic Institute (IPM), while the City University of Macau is the only private institution being allocated one part of the old campus, TDM News reported.
The director of the Tertiary Education Services Office (GAES), Sou Chio Fai, said that three academic buildings and two dorms would be allocated to IPM. The original dormitory building, comprising a 23,000 square meter space, will be allocated to the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT). He added that the University of Macau, which now operates in Hengqin Island, would keep the library and a study center comprising 21,000 square meters.
The largest area will be allocated to IPM in a total of 38,000 square meters. IPM president Li Xiangyu said that they are glad they can finally stop renting classrooms and dormitories in different buildings around town.
It was also announced that the City University of Macau would be given eight buildings totalling 37,000 square meters. The government will require rent from City U, since it is a private university, but they have not disclosed the amount.
Sou Chio Fai said that the campus sports complex would be allocated to the Macau Sports Development Board, which they hope will work to enhance relevant facilities and allow residents, civic organizations and other tertiary education institutions to use it.
Another building will be dedicated to Public Administration and training programs for civil servants. Some of the parking areas will be allocated to the Transport Bureau, and some will be opened for the public. One building and one dormitory have not been allocated yet. The government said it would not disclose any further information on these two buildings.
The way the old UM campus has been allocated has drawn public criticism. Lawmaker Kwan Tsui Hang said the day after the announcement that the allocation of the UM old campus was not transparent enough. The government also failed to disclose not only the degree of urgency but also the basis of the decisions the City University faces. The Chinese Educators’ Association of Macau also said that the administration should respond to the public. It suggested that the authorities should consider the needs of non-tertiary education institutions as well.
GAES later released a statement, stressing that the government is lawfully allocating the old UM campus. It said that the decision is being made in accordance with the requirements of relevant education institutions and public departments, and has been agreed and approved by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, as well as the Chief Executive.
The secretary of the Council of the City University, Chan Chon Pat, also explained to TDM that the university currently has classrooms in several commercial buildings around town and needs more space for development. He believes that the government has made the right decision and revealed that the university is still discussing the rent with the government.
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