Macao-Hengqin International Education City Deepens the Advantages of “One Country, Two Systems”
Education Association: Promote the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements in Universities
Zheng Jiezhao, Chairman of the Macao Chinese Education Association, believes that the construction of the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) City marks a new chapter in the development of education in Macao and Hengqin under the advantages of “One Country, Two Systems”. Based on optimizing curriculum and discipline layout, the University City not only provides a pivotal point in the Greater Bay Area for scientific research and technology, but also opens up broad channels for Macao’s young students to pursue further studies, engage in scientific research practice and obtain employment in emerging industries, realizing the precise connection between the education chain, talent chain and industrial chain.
Shouldering a Unique Mission of the Times
Zheng Jiezhao stated that as the country comprehensively advances the construction of an education powerhouse, education has been elevated to the height of strategic support for national rejuvenation. As a successful model of the practice of “One Country, Two Systems”, Macao shoulders a unique mission of the times. Education is not only the foundation of Macao’s social development, but also a key link for Macao to integrate into the overall national development. Macao’s education sector is continuously deepening educational cooperation between Hengqin and Macao, supporting the integrated and coordinated development of the “Macao + Hengqin” model, accelerating the agglomeration and transformation of innovative achievements, helping Macao build itself into a highland for gathering international high-end talents, and promoting the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talents.
The planning and construction of the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) City is a major innovative measure for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to deepen cooperation and enrich the connotation of the practice of “One Country, Two Systems”. It reflects the country’s strong support for Macao’s higher education and long-term development, provides an unprecedented broad platform for the leapfrog development of Macao’s education cause, and opens a new channel for Macao to integrate into the national strategy of rejuvenating the country through science and education.
Closely Aligning with Strategic Needs
It can be predicted that the construction of the University City must be closely aligned with national strategic needs and respond to the country’s deployment in key areas such as scientific and technological innovation and industrial upgrading. In particular, it should focus on discipline directions where Macao has an existing foundation or the country has key layouts, such as integrated circuits, traditional Chinese medicine, space science, and intelligent Internet of Things, and optimize the discipline structure and resource allocation. The goal is to cultivate a group of top-notch talents who not only cherish the feelings of patriotism and love for Macao, but also possess an international vision and cutting-edge innovative capabilities, contributing the wisdom and strength of Macao and Hengqin to the country’s realization of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement.
In the future, the University City should become a demonstration zone for deepening and demonstrating the institutional advantages of “One Country, Two Systems”. It is not only an important carrier for Macao to expand high-quality higher education resources, but also a “test field” for promoting the alignment of rules and mechanisms in the education field between Macao and the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao Deep Cooperation Zone. Through co-constructing and sharing platforms, conducting collaborative scientific research and innovation, and promoting the flow of teachers and students, we will explore a new model of cooperative education and governance that not only conforms to the national education policy, but also gives full play to the characteristics and vitality of the two places, injecting lasting and strong educational momentum into the steady and long-term development of “One Country, Two Systems”.
Zheng Jiezhao emphasized that the Macao Chinese Education Association firmly supports the SAR government in governing according to law. It will unite the majority of educators, promote all sectors of society to build consensus and pool strength, firmly grasp the historical opportunity of the construction of the University City, and work together to build the University City into: a highland of integration of science, education and research that serves national strategies, a model of cooperation that demonstrates the vitality of “One Country, Two Systems”, and an innovation engine that promotes the appropriate diversified and sustainable development of Macao’s economy. The education sector is willing to continue to work hand in hand, with the ambition of building an education powerhouse, to write a new chapter in the integrated development of Macao and Hengqin.
