USJ looks to improve Portuguese language and culture curriculum

The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) has officially officially appointed  Maria Antónia Espadinha, professor of Portuguese language and culture as vice-rector, in an inauguration ceremony held yesterday. Currently teaching at the University of Macau (UM), she said the vice-rector position would be “a great challenge” that will take her on a mission to develop USJ’s Portuguese language and culture curriculum that is offered.
“There’s a great interest to develop the Portuguese language and Portuguese culture academic [Prgram offered in universities]. That is also of great interest to me. We can improve the conditions of Portuguese language [here],” she said.
Maria Antónia Espadinha did not want to unveil concrete measures to be taken to develop the Portuguese language and culture teaching at the university, but stressed she will be bringing ideas to discuss with her future team.
“This university is very much related to the training of teachers; that’s something we lack in Macau, and we can probably start working [in this area],” she added.
Maria Antónia Espadinha has spent the last 20 years teaching in University of Macau’s Portuguese department.
USJ’s rector, father Peter Stilwell recalled that, even though the university adopted English as its teaching language, Portuguese remains an important asset, given the institution’s roots.
“A Portuguese dimension is present in the university; Portuguese is also taught here, but it’s not enough. When I invited Maria Antónia Espadinha to be vice-
rector, I intended to resume one of the institution’s first elements. We all know that both the central and local governments see Macau as a platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries,” he stressed.
Peter Stilwell added that it is crucial for a higher education institution with “a Portuguese DNA” to develop that particular DNA, and turn it into a more active element of life.
The Portuguese Catholic University’s vice-rector, José Tolentino Mendonça, said he leaves Macau with a positive image of USJ, which he thinks is a higher education institution that is “striving for quality.”
He stressed that USJ’s controversial image hasn’t been conveyed in Portugal.
“USJ is growing very consistently. It’s building up its own identity. The idea we have is not that of a controversial university, but rather (…) a university that conveys a great deal of confidence,” he said.
Peter Stilwell mentioned in his speech the controversy surrounding the university’s new campus funding. Speaking to reporters, he clarified that back in 2012 when he was appointed rector “there was a big scandal in the media” regarding the way the new campus was being funded. “It was said that funds hadn’t been well managed,” and therefore the Catholic Foundation decided to appoint a new team to run the university.
In his speech yesterday, father Peter Stilwell claimed the university urges students “to see the world critically.” He also stressed how the institution has attracted a large number of international students, now reaching about 400 people. He stated that “it’s an important opportunity for us, to continue promoting a dialogue between different cultures.”
Yesterday, the inauguration ceremony also served to officially appoint USJ’s new administrator, professor and researcher Susana Mieiro, as well as pro-rector for academic affairs Vincent Yang.

‘No Comment’ on Eric Sautede case

The University of Saint Joseph’s rector, father Peter Stilwell, and the vice-rector of the Portuguese Catholic University have refused to comment further on the dismissal of political scientist and professor Eric Sautede that occurred in June. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of new academic staff inauguration ceremony, Peter Stilwell said he had “nothing to comment on that matter,” when asked if firing Eric Sautede had influenced the number of students enrolling in the university this year. The Portuguese Catholic University’s vice-rector, José Tolentino Mendonça, said recently while visiting Macau that USJ had justified Eric Sautede’s dismissal because of his “academic path.” He said he could not comment on the matter any further.
Upon his sacking, however, Peter Stilwell confirmed that Eric Sautede was dismissed for expressing his political views in regular opinion columns and in interviews with local media, including the Times.