University of Macau 45th Anniversary Open Day: Carrying Forward the Humanistic Legacy, Strengthening Cultural Confidence, and Showcasing Academic Excellence through Hengqin–Macau Collaboration
On 11 January 2026, the University of Macau (UM) celebrated the 45th anniversary of its establishment, with the Anniversary Open Day held on the same occasion. As the first Macao higher education institution to extend its operations into the Guangdong–Macao In Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, UM opened not only its main campus but also its transitional teaching facilities in the Cooperation Zone and the Zhuhai UM Science and Technology Research Institute to the public. Together, these venues presented a multi dimensional showcase of the University’s latest achievements in teaching, research, and social service.
As a flagship institution of higher education in Macao, the Open Day continued UM’s long standing tradition of opening its campus to the community. This year’s celebration placed particular emphasis on the humanities, highlighting the University’s distinctive educational philosophy of being deeply rooted in Chinese culture while maintaining a strong international outlook.
The Centre for Chinese History and Culture has long been committed to promoting the inheritance and innovation of Chinese culture in Macao. Guided by its integrated mission of “research, education, and outreach,” the Centre not only conducts high level academic research for the scholarly community, but also disseminates historical and cultural knowledge to young people through vivid and engaging approaches.
Two Cultural Experience Zones
In celebration of UM’s 45th anniversary, the Centre for Chinese History and Culture specially curated a cultural experience area featuring two interactive activities.
Interactive Activity 1:
The exhibition “An Artist from Matteo Ricci’s Hometown — Sandro Pazzi Printmaking Exhibition,” held at Cultural Building, presented contemporary works by an Italian artist, echoing Macao’s unique historical role as a crossroads of Eastern and Western cultures. With Matteo Ricci’s eastward journey serving as an underlying narrative thread, the exhibition guided visitors to reflect on the contemporary significance of intercultural dialogue and mutual learning among civilizations.
Mr. Li Xuefei, Director of the Department of Education and Youth Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Mr. Kong Chi Meng, Director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau; Mr. Lam Kam Seng, Chairman of the University of Macau Council; and Mr. Song Yonghua, Rector of the University of Macau, among others, highly commended the exhibition for its role in fostering dialogue between Chinese and Western civilizations.
Interactive Activity 2:
At the same time, the Centre’s Open Day booth, “Chinese History and Culture Matching Game,” adopted a fun quiz based format that integrated knowledge of historical figures, classical quotations, and traditional festivals into interactive gameplay. Participants could redeem cultural and creative gifts through accumulated points, deepening their understanding of Chinese culture in an atmosphere filled with laughter and enjoyment. The event attracted over 500 participants, vividly demonstrating the public’s strong enthusiasm for Chinese culture.
The lively atmosphere at the quiz venue
The more than 500 online participants reflected the success of these initiatives
The design of these two activities fully embodied the humanistic principle of “learning through enjoyment.” Parents, UM faculty members, and students alike noted that the matching game format effectively stimulated students’interest in history, while the printmaking exhibition enabled younger generations to appreciate the profound meaning of cultural integration from an artistic perspective. Leaders of the Centre for Chinese History and Culture pointed out that such activities not only reinforce UM’s role as a key hub for the dissemination of Chinese culture, but also build a bridge for Macao’s youth to engage with tradition and develop cultural identity.
As the Open Day concluded successfully, the series of activities celebrating UM’s 45th anniversary will continue. The Centre for Chinese History and Culture stated that, looking ahead, it will further develop digital cultural experience projects by leveraging the resources of the Faculty of Humanities, while strengthening collaborative partnerships with institutions across the Greater Bay Area.
The successful hosting of the Open Day not only demonstrated UM’s enduring commitment to serving society through academic excellence, but also provided a vivid illustration of Macao’s role as a cultural window within the national cultural development strategy.
