Macau-Hengqin campus eyes over 20,000 students

Education and Youth Development (DSEDJ) director Kong Chi Meng touted Macau-Hengqin International University Town as a driver of cross-border innovations at the opening yesterday of the 13th Guangdong Provincial Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference’s (CPPCC) fourth plenary meeting, projecting over 20,000 students to build talent for tourism and Greater Bay Area growth.

Backed by MOP20 billion from Macau’s government, the project aims to cultivate top talent in tourism and leisure for Macau and the nation.

According to the MSAR government, the construction of the University Town in Hengqin is being conducted in phases, with the initiative involving the University of Macau (UM), Macao Polytechnic University (MPU), and Macao University of Tourism.

The UM’s new campus targets 2028 admissions, with graduate teaching beginning in 2026.

Earlier this month, MPU confirmed postgraduate classes will start August–September 2026 at the International Education (University) Town.

The UM has also affirmed a September 2026 start for teaching at the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town.

According to media reports, Kong expressed his belief that the University Town would explore a series of institutional innovations, such as cross-border education models, cross-border transformation of scientific research results, free flow of talent, and mutual access to scientific research funding rules.

Kong called on all sectors to work together to build Macau and Hengqin into an “international education zone,” create a “port” for scientific research achievements to go global, and construct a “reservoir” for international talent.

Other Macau members focused on Greater Bay Area integration and Hengqin, telling public broadcaster TDM that economic diversification, travel, medical access, and retirement options should be key areas of cooperation.

CPPCC Standing Committee member Melinda Chan raised concerns about how to better link Macau’s development to the wider region through institutional frameworks.

According to TDM, Chan said Macau should make fuller use of Greater Bay Area and Hengqin resources to promote “multi-stop” tourism.

“The residents of Macau are more able to live in the Greater Bay Area, especially for medical care and elderly care […] In fact, there are many non-central areas in Guangdong Province, there are many attractions. I hope to integrate them, promote outward together, and expand this tourism route,” Chan told TDM.

Another committee member, Hon Chi Tin, noted Guangdong’s push into emerging industries like artificial intelligence, low-altitude economy, and biomedicine, which require top global talent.

Hon, who serves as a professor and doctoral supervisor in the Faculty of Innovation Engineering at Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), said Macau can contribute as a science and technology hub.

“In the development of emerging industries […] some aspects of this industry chain, or parts of the industry chain, are about how to integrate Hong Kong and Macau,” said Hon.

The 2026 meeting also coincides with the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030).

According to the preparatory office, Guangdong CPPCC members will focus on the province’s new goals and tasks for the year during the conference.