To broaden students’ horizons and cultivate their cross-cultural communication skills, City University of Macau (CityU) continues to forge partnerships with overseas and domestic higher education institutions (HEIs), resulting in an array of exchange programs to foster academic collaboration. CityU has carried out students exchange programs with over 30 HEIs this semester, covering Portugal, Germany, Korea, Malaysia, Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, attracting overwhelming applications from students of CityU and partner institutions. The second semester session of the academic year 2024/2025 for international and exchange students was held recently at Culture Centre, Taipa Campus, to welcome a new cohort of exchange students. The atmosphere was vibrant, where students shared their unique cultural learning and exchange experiences.
Wu Cheng, head of the Office of Global Affairs, extended a warm greeting to the exchange students. He highlighted CityU’s over 40-year history amid China’s reform and opening-up, and emphasized the University’s advantages of being in the “One Country, Two Systems” framework and the convergence of Eastern and Western cultures to foster an academic hub within Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. He encouraged students to actively engage in cross-cultural research collaborations, explore Macao’s world heritage, and immerse themselves in the city’s unique culture, and participate in overseas exchange programs, embracing innovative thinking and mutual learning of diverse civilizations, broadening their global horizons, and enhancing their competitiveness. He concluded by encouraging students to fight for their goals, develop a fresh understanding of the world, engage in local activities, and explore new opportunities for growth within a diverse and inclusive environment.
The session fostered a warm and vibrant atmosphere, with students eager to share their cultural practices and academic experiences. Students expressed appreciation for Macao’s multicultural environment, which provided a unique learning platform for them to experience diverse educational systems and academic resources. They emphasized the opportunity to broaden their horizons and connect with students from different backgrounds at CityU, enriching their understanding of the world. All incoming students expressed high anticipation for their three-month stay at CityU. Outgoing exchange students expressed gratitude for the valuable opportunities and support provided by the University, highlighting the significant benefits derived from their exchange experiences.
Looking ahead, CityU remains committed to expanding its exchange programs to more institutions globally, providing increasingly diverse learning experiences and cultivating outstanding talents equipped with international perspectives and cross-cultural communication skills.
Source: Office of Global Affair
