CE and Beijing’s education minister discuss boosting international education hub

Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai and China’s Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng met at the Government Headquarters late last week to discuss advancing the region’s educational services and the development of the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town.

The CE highlighted Macau’s commitment to implementing President Xi Jinping’s directives from his recent Macau visit, focusing on economic diversification and expanding international collaboration in higher education.

According to the Government Information Bureau (GCS) statement, the discussion highlighted efforts to transform academic and research achievements into practical applications, deepen regional partnerships, and promote sustainable exchange programs.

The MSAR statement emphasized the government’s progress in advancing the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town, aimed at “injecting momentum into Macao’s sustainable development and creating a better environment to nurture the younger generation as the region integrates into national development strategies.”

Complementing these initiatives, prior reports indicate that the new campus will introduce faculties in Medicine, Information Technology, and Design, offering expanded academic programs alongside partnerships with global universities.

Further collaboration was also discussed around key initiatives in the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, including a technology transfer center accessible nationwide and a traditional Chinese medicine subcenter planned by year-end.

Huai, accompanied by Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture O Lam, also visited Hengqin on Friday to inspect education zone planning and land allocation. NS