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Giving Back for a Better Future

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Origin: A University’s Development Is Closely Linked to Its Development Foundation
Take a look at foreign universities, whether public or private, especially such top universities as Harvard University, Yale University, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, The University of Hong Kong, and National Taiwan University. What are driving the development of such universities? Of the countless possible answers, we can find a common denominator—the existence of a development foundation. The development of a university’s foundation mirrors the progress of the university, and the progress of the university means that the foundation has well served its intended purposes.

On the groundbreaking ceremony for the new campus of the University of Macau (UM), President of the People’s Republic of China Mr. Hu Jintao expressed his expectation for UM to become a world-class university with world-class facilities, a world-class faculty team, world-class graduates, and world-class achievements.

President Hu’s hope conforms to the dream shared by all Macao residents and UM members. However, UM members are not content to be just dreamers. They are also doers and thinkers, and the big question that constantly occupies their minds is: How to ensure that the University progresses in a sustainable manner?

Of course the crucial role of the Macao SAR Government’s support in the University’s development can never be overstated, but there is no denying the fact that a university positioned as one “for Macao people” also needs the support from the local community during its progress towards a world-class university. This prompted UM’s top management to ponder this question: Since development foundation has been recognized as an important contributor to the progress of many of the world’s top universities, can we also establish such a foundation to provide a channel for those who care about UM to make concrete contributions? In recent year, there has been a substantial increase in the demand for high-calibre professionals. Indeed, nurturing outstanding university graduates has become the key to increasing a nation’s international competitiveness. It is against this background that the idea of establishing a University of Macau Development Foundation emerged in 2006 as UM’s top management felt the urgent need to obtain more resources to accomplish the University’s academic and educational missions, enhance the competitiveness of UM’s graduates, and ensure the University’s sustainable development.

The University of Macau Development Foundation aims to encourage people to “give back for the common good” by contributing to higher education. Donors’ donations will not in any way interfere with the academic freedom of the University. The University will recognize the donors’ generous contributions in such ways as to make their names and deeds immortal memories for future generations. Donations will not be directly used as the University’s operational funds but will be invested by a management committee to achieve maximum return and produce a steady flow of income in perpetuity to meet the expenditure requirements of the Foundation such as scholarships, student exchange programmes, overseas visits, and lectures by invited world-renowned scholars and experts. The ultimate objective is to enhance the University’s quality in teaching and research and ensure the sustainable development of the University.

Such meticulous planning paved the way for the establishment of the University of Macau Development Foundation.


Inception: A Good Beginning

2009 is destined to be remembered as one of the most glorious chapters in the history of UM. In this year many dreams blossomed like flowers at the kiss of the spring breeze, and one of the dreams come true was the University of Macau Development Foundation. On 7 December 2009, at UM’s Cultural Centre, more than 400 dignitaries as well as UM staff and students witnessed the inception of the University of Macau Development Foundation (UMDF) which was presided over by the then-Chief Executive of Macao SAR Mr. Edmund Ho Hau-wah.

UMDF got off to a good start, with numerous benefactors collectively making donations of more than MOP ten million on the day of its establishment. Mr. Edmund Ho remarked at the inception ceremony: “Establishment of the Foundation is a new endeavour on the part of the Macao SAR Government to support the development of higher education in Macao, and the generous donations received on the day of its establishment demonstrates the great support for UM from the society.”

This encouraging piece of news spread rapidly, causing a positive ripple effect across the whole community.

On 9 February 2010, the Wu Yee Sun Charitable Foundation Limited donated HKD 150 million to UMDF.

On 12 April 2010, Dr. Stanley Ho, Lui Che Woo Foundation Limited, Henry Fok Foundation, and Ms. Susana Chou each donated MOP 30 million to UMDF.

The fact that UMDF attracted impressive amounts of donations within only a few months upon its establishment is a testament to the society’s recognition of the University as well as high expectations for its future development.

In order to live up to the donors’ high expectations and achieve maximum good with their donations, it is essential that we bear in mind the following objectives of UMDF.

(1) Obtaining sufficient financial resources to support the sustainable development of UM towards its established goals;

(2) Providing a channel for the community to contribute to the nurturing of future pillars of the society through donations; and

(3) Encouraging more people to contribute to higher education, thereby fostering a culture of “giving back for the common good” in Macao and beyond.

The benefactors’ philanthropic deeds will certainly sow the seeds of goodness in the students’ hearts, and such seeds will blossom in the future as more and more UM alumni and the community follow their examples and unite to build the society into a more harmonious one. Their donations will help UM grow stronger and earn higher reputation.

Dr. Tse Chi Wai, representative of the founding members of UMDF and Vice Chair of the Trustees Committee of UMDF, noted: “UMDF is not a for-profit organization. The Foundation’s purpose is to support UM in the pursuit of its teaching, academic and research goals and enhance UM’s international competitiveness. It is our hope that the Foundation can serve as a lasting and well-regulated donation mechanism to cultivate a wholesome culture of giving in the society.”

We need not envy foreign universities. We have already made our first step forward, and that is a good beginning.


Donation: Giving for Giving’s Sake

2009 was a milestone in UM’s history. In this year UM clearly identified its long-term objective which Rector Wei Zhao announced at the Joint Meeting of the University Assembly and University Council held on 12 April 2010. The objective is to develop UM into a world-class university with distinctive regional characteristics and excellent teaching, research and social services. To achieve this objective, UM has devised a series of strategies, such as creating an “elite undergraduate education” brand; developing a strong, internationally-recruited faculty team; giving priority to characteristic disciplines; and building an efficient and environmentally-friendly campus.

Implementing these strategies in order to realize the objective of becoming a world-class university is not just a mission for UM, but also a mission for the entire Macao society. UM’s development depends on the support from Macao SAR Government and UMDF. UMDF’s development relies on the donations from the society. Benefactors’ donations reflect their burning desires to join this noble cause, a cause based on a love that transcends all boundaries.

Master Confucius once famously said: “Truly benevolent people simply find peace in their benevolence without ever expecting any personal gain in return.”

In other words, truly benevolent people give for giving’s sake. We hope more and more people can join this meaningful cause. Together, we can turn whatever dreams we cherish into reality.
 


06/10/2010