Founded in 2000, Macau University of Science and Technology (M.U.S.T.) has rapidly developed into the largest multi-disciplinary university in Macao and is ranked among the Top 20 Universities in the Greater China1. M.U.S.T. endeavors to educate students specialized in various fields, attaches equal importance to teaching and research, highlights quality of programs, pursues excellence, and has continuously reached new heights in academic development. For nine consecutive years, M.U.S.T. ranked among the Top 100 universities in the “Ranking of Top Universities in Greater China” released by Shanghai Ranking, and ranked 20th in 2019. In 2019, M.U.S.T. ranked among the top 300 universities in the “World University Rankings” in 2020 by Times Higher Education2. In 2020, the University debuted at The Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2020 and placed 32nd3. The University sits on Taipa with a campus of 210,000m2. The beautiful surroundings and convenient transport render it an ideal place for students to pursue higher education and carry out research. Mission and Vision Upholding the motto of “Dedication to practical studies, Enhancement of knowledge, Ability and Quality”, M.U.S.T. adheres to its mission, “To promote cultural exchange, nurture intellectual growth, foster economic development and further societal progress”. The University aligns closely with the needs of Macao and the rapid development of the motherland, draws on and incorporate experiences from world-class higher education institutions, creates and offers a great diversity of educational programs, and aims to cultivate high-quality talents, who are solid in theories, competitive in practice and innovation, proficient in Chinese and English, noble in character, admirable in morality, and adaptive in the context of a globalized economy. In the meantime, M.U.S.T. puts forth great efforts in conducting multi-disciplinary cutting-edge research, and strives to fulfill a leap and join the ranks of renowned universities in Asia-Pacific. Faculties and Programs Macao S.A.R. government has authorised M.U.S.T. to award academic degrees at doctoral, master and bachelor levels. To cater to different interests from different people, M.U.S.T. offers tens of programs that are conducted mainly in English, with some conducted either in Chinese, Portuguese or Spanish. In addition to local students, M.U.S.T. attracts a great many students from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Currently, there are more than 12,000 students enrolled at the University, including 3,847 master and doctoral students and 8,272 undergraduate students4. As of today, M.U.S.T. owns the following faculties/departments: Faculty of Information Technology, School of Business, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Faculty of Humanities and Arts, Faculty of Medicine, University International College, School of Pharmacy, School of Liberal Arts and the Department of General Education, providing a wide range of courses, including social sciences, science, law, management, business, medicine, pharmacy, tourism, art, communications and language. In addition to degree programs offered by The School of Liberal Arts, the School also provides evening degree programs and a wide range of short courses (daytime/evening) for lifelong learners and people who wish to enrich their knowledge. So far, the employability and the opportunity to further studies of M.U.S.T. graduates proves to be highly satisfying. A number of graduates have received scholarships from world renowned universities to continue further studies abroad, and an even greater number of graduates have taken up employment in government departments and well-known enterprises in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao. Faculty members and Research Development The key to excellent education and extraordinary research is to have a knowledgeable, professional, experienced and internationalized faculty team. M.U.S.T. has hundreds of chair professors, professors, distinguished professors, associate professors and assistant professors. The majority of the academic and research staff have obtained PhD degrees and have either worked or studied in world-renowned institutions and universities. In addition, M.U.S.T. has invited a group of world-class specialists and experts to teach undergraduate and postgraduate courses. These specialists include academicians from Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering, Academia Sinica in Taiwan, United States National Academy of Sciences, Highly Cited scholars and other top scholars. By teaching courses and supervising graduates, these outstanding scholars impart newest knowledge, disseminate latest research findings, and introduce students to international horizons and diverse cultures. Academic freedom has always been the pursuit of the University. M.U.S.T. supports academic staff and researchers to develop diverse research projects, and encourages teachers to collaborate and produce new knowledge, new technology and new products, so as to advance diversified academic development and provide services both for Macao’s and national progress. M.U.S.T. focuses on developing characteristics and research areas where the University has strengths, for example, quality control and innovative drugs in Chinese medicines, lunar and planetary sciences, cancer and rheumatism treatment, system engineering, environmental science, smart city, architecture and city planning, human resources management and gaming tourism management. Other areas of interest are studies on Macao society, culture, and sustainable development, comparative studies of cross-regional laws in the cross-strait region, art design, media studies, intellectual property protection, marine protection, development and utilization, and others. M.U.S.T. encourages the faculty to publish high quality research findings. In recent years, our research publications at the Q1 zone of international SCI/SSCI academic journals have increased continuously, and the number of national and international patents granted has increased several times. After years of development, M.U.S.T. now owns two state key laboratories, the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines and the State Key Laboratory in Lunar and Planetary Sciences; and a number of prominent institutes and research centers such as the Institution for Sustainable Development, the Space Science Institute, the Institute for Social and Cultural Research, Macau Institute of Systems Engineering, Macau Research Center for International Standard of Chinese Medicines, Research Centre on Arbitration & Alternative Dispute Resolution, Macau Media Research Center, Macau Environmental Research Institute, Macau Financial Innovation Research Center, and Macau Academy of Cinematic Arts. In 2016, the University established Smart City Institute and Macao’s first Laboratory named after a Nobel Prize Winner “Biophysical Laboratory for Chinese Medicine”. In 2018, the Ministry of Education of People’s Republic of China authorized M.U.S.T. to jointly establish the Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences Partner Base and Joint Laboratory with four higher institutions in Mainland China. These institutes and laboratories perform the functions of teaching and research simultaneously, not only providing practical training opportunities for outstanding research talents but also making great contributions to the studies on the sustainable development of Macao and the adequate diversification of Macao’s economy. In 2019, the university signed a framework cooperation agreement with Zhuhai municipal people's government aimed to explore in-depth cooperation in innovative education, cutting-edge science and technology, quality health and medical research, medical and health industry, next generation Internet, Geospatial Big Data, artificial intelligence, aerospace, outstanding cultural heritage, youth innovation entrepreneurship and others, and eventually work together for the joint promotion of the Great Bay area’s science and technology innovation and development. Campus Life and Facilities With respect to campus facilities, M.U.S.T. has a beautiful campus and several modern teaching buildings, well-established laboratories and rich collections of library resources in the library. M.U.S.T. advocates a harmonious, professional and caring campus which facilitates students to achieve all-round development and fulfill whole-person education. M.U.S.T. has set up a Mentor scheme to assist students in coping with problems in their studies and life. By holding many forms of student society activities, M.U.S.T. encourages students to actively participate in extra-curricular activities so as to develop organizational skills, improve social and cognitive abilities and broaden knowledge span. M.U.S.T. provides a diversity of facilities for students to engage in different kinds of colorful extra-curricular activities, for example, the establishment of a student center with multiple piano rooms, rehearsal rooms, multi-functional rooms, and other rooms that are open for students to use for free all year round. The Art Troupe has become a brand in art and culture of the University, and offers students a stage to showcase their artistic talent. The Center for Entrepreneurship and Career Planning helps students find their personal strengths and expertise to explore their own potential, establish a healthy, upright core value system in terms of career development, and enhance their competitiveness as well as planning and preparation to enter the labor market or entrepreneurship. The Student Affairs Office organizes visits, field trips and community activities for students. The University also encourages students to participate actively in various professional competitions locally and abroad. Based on students’ interests, the Student Affairs Office coordinates all kinds of training to students and provides them with guidance and counselling services. The campus has convenience stores, bank centers, student restaurants, teaching restaurant, coffee corners, computer store, physical development center, an Olympic-standard track with field stadium and gymnasium, and tennis court, providing conveniences for students to exercise and satisfy all their needs. The University Hospital is located at the campus providing 24-hour support and handles emergencies for students and staff. The hospital carries advanced equipment; in addition to a local professional medical team, there is also a specialist team of well-known specialists from Mainland China, Hong Kong and other countries. Moreover, the University has a security force that patrols the campus and dormitories to safeguard an orderly campus environment. The University owns five dormitories providing sufficient work, study, and living environment for teachers and students. The newly completed Block O teaching complex has been put in use, providing a large number of classrooms, staff offices and teaching facilities. The Block R teaching complex is newly completed. It has a multifunction hall and movie house, as well as classrooms, research and practical teaching laboratories, studios, college offices and logistics support rooms. The under-planning Block S Faculty of Medicine Building is located in between the Block H Science and Technology Building and the Block R Teaching Complex, expected to break grounds in early 2020 and put in use in 2023. These facilities provide a substantial upgrade in educational facilities for the University. Academic Exchange and International Cooperation Internationalization has been an important momentum for M.U.S.T. It is also an important direction for M.U.S.T.’s future development. In terms of academic management, M.U.S.T. integrates the experience of world-renowned universities with specific local, social and cultural characteristics, and establishes its own management principles and culture, model and framework, and mechanisms and procedures, which fit well with the University’s international outreach, and aims to become an international university with leading management standard. At present, M.U.S.T. has established multiple forms of partnerships with more than one hundred institutions in Europe, America, Australia, Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong in educational programs, academic research, personnel training, student exchanges and other areas. It has also become a member of the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP) and the International Association of Universities (IAU). M.U.S.T. encourages students to engage in overseas exchange programs and provides long-term, mid-term, short-term funding for outstanding students to study abroad. It also gives support to students to pursue further overseas studies or overseas employment in various ways, including helping students to seek further studies abroad through recommendations, among other means. 1 “Ranking of Top Universities in Greater China” released by Shanghai Ranking. 2 “World University Rankings” 2020 released by Times Higher Education (THE) 3 “Asia University Rankings” 2020 released by Times Higher Education (THE) 4 Statistics based on the number of students in September, 2019