澳门大学校长姚伟彬教授在澳门大学建校二十周年庆典闭.doc

Speech by Professor Iu Vai Pan, Rector of University of Macau, at the Closing Ceremony of UM 20th Anniversary, University Of MacauDistinguished Guests, Dear Alumni, Colleagues, Students, Ladies and Gentlemen,It is a great honour for me to be here today to announce the closing of our universitys 20th anniversary. Last year, we launched a kick-off ceremony in our campus as the first activity to commence our 20-year anniversary. To the university, this closing ceremony is certainly meaningful and important. During the past 13 months, under the theme of 20th anniversary, we held many celebratory functions, at all levels in the university. Not only our university, but also the community at large, and many institutions at overseas are aware of the 20 years of establishment of the University of Macau. There are many discussions I have shared, and many comments I have received, on the past, present, and most important, the future role of this leading academic institution in Macau. This observation has given me a clear focus of my future work.As in the case for many parts of the world, the political, economic, and social conditions in Macao as a whole have changed. A knowledge-based society has a lot to offer to young people. However, these opportunities do not come without high competition and great challenges. We strive to help our young people learn wisdom and diversity to serve and build the community, acquire knowledge to be geared to tackle challenges, and possess essential humanity to bring compassion and benefits of competition to the society. This objective is recognized from the active involvement of many of our alumni working in management and policy-making level in both public and private sectors.Started in May 2001, a number of activities were held in commemorating the 20th anniversary of University of Macau. I could only name a few among many held, namely, the Kick-off Ceremony, 20th Anniversary Celebration Ceremony and Symposium, Charity Fund-raising for Walk for Millions which breaks our previous records, Photo Competition and Exhibition, students projects showcase, opening of new laboratories, alumni gatherings, international conferences, seminars and distinguished lectures series held by different faculties. Of particular importance are two world-renowned scholars who have come all the way to Macau to join us in the university. Prof. Yau Shing Tung, Fields Medalist in Mathematics and the only Chinese awarded with this honour in history, delivered a seminar “Mathematics & Society” in January this year in the University Cultural Centre. Over 300 high school students were benefited from the inspiration Prof. Yau has given them in Mathematics. In the same venue in March 18, the university conferred an honourary degree of Doctor of Social Sciences to Prof. Joseph Stiglitz, the 2001 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences. Prof. Stiglitz delivered his first public lecture in Asia as a Nobel Laureate and presented us with the “Lessons from the Financial Crisis in Asia” which was simultaneously broadcasted and interpreted in Mandarin and Cantonese to over 1,400 audiences on-campus. This has undoubtedly highlighted the landmark of our history.Accomplishing a lot of remarkable events held during the celebration, I would like to direct my deepest gratitude to the staff and students. Let me assure you that your work will be recorded and well remembered. Despite demanding workload, you have all shown creativity and great dedication.I cannot conclude without thanking the generous support of the SAR government and local authorities. Financial support has been secured. Academic autonomy and institutional independence have been well respected. It is only through academic freedom can intellectuals express, and it is through the expressions of intellectual opinions can University of Macau achieve its integrity and quality throughout these years. Again, on behalf of the university, I am deeply grateful for the support and confidence you have placed in us. While much of our work is being evaluated from regular degree courses, University of Macau has stepped up and started many research projects and scientific co-operation. Many overseas universities have been our main collaborators in a number of joint efforts. Due to the link in the past, our relation with Europe has been particularly close. This will remain so in the future with strengthening of greater ties with the mainland, Asia, US, Australia and New Zealand. It is important to widen our global vision as an international community of scholars. Without weakening the mission of University of Macau as a higher educational institution providing talents for local industries, we seek to increase our outreach and visibility throughout the world, and at the same time, continue to be an intellectual think tank of Macau with an importance it deserves and needs in Macau.Thank you.澳门大学校长姚伟彬教授在澳门大学建校二十周年庆典闭幕式的讲话尊敬的各位来宾，亲爱的校友、同事、同学，女士们、先生们：我很荣幸的宣布澳门大学建校二十周年庆典活动圆满结束。去年我们在校园里举行了启动仪式，拉开了建校二十周年庆典活动的序幕。而这次闭幕式对澳门大学来说同样相当重要，意义深远。在过去的十三个月间，围绕二十周年庆典的主题，全校各级组织机构举办了许多庆祝活动。不仅仅是澳门大学，整个澳门社会乃至众多海外机构都在关注着我们的二十周年校庆。关于这所澳门最高学府在过去、现在，更重要的是在未来将扮演何种角色，我参与过多次讨论，听到了各种意见，这使我明确了未来工作的重点。跟世界许多地区一样，澳门的整体政治、经济、社会环境已经改变。一个知识型的社会能够为青年人提供很多机会，但离不开激烈的竞争和挑战。我们致力于帮助年轻人获取智慧，学习各种技能来服务社会、建设国家；帮助他们掌握知识以应对应对各种挑战；使他们具备人性中最基本的优点，把爱心和竞争的有益面注入社会。此目标可以从我们在公共和私人部门管理决策层工作的校友积极投身社会的行动中得到印证。从2001年5月开始，我们举办了一系列活动来庆祝澳门大学建校二十周年，在此我只能列举几个：如启动仪式、二十周年庆典及专题报告会、“公益金百万行”慈善募捐（打破了先前的筹款记录）、摄影比赛和图片展、学生作品展示、启用新实验室、校友聚餐、国际会议以及各学院举办的研讨会和名家系列讲座。尤为重要的是两位世界闻名的学者远道而来，来到我们澳门大学。历史上唯一一个获菲尔茨数学奖的中国人丘成桐教授今年1月在澳门大学文化中心开展了“数学与社会”研讨会，300多名学生利益于教授在数学方面给予的启发。3月18日，同样在文化中心，澳门大学授予2001年诺贝尔经济学奖获得者约瑟夫斯蒂格利茨教授