Introduction

Established in 2009, the Global Affairs Office (GAO) was originally a part of the functions at the Rector’s Office. GAO is committed to enhance the internationalization of the University of Macau (UM) by establishing a strategic international network and partnership for the University. Besides, GAO offers advice and guidance to faculties and units in establishing international partnerships, students and staff exchanges, joint academic collaborations, and agreement signing at both unit-level and university-level.

Over the years, GAO actively assisting UM to participate in a number of important regional and international university associations and consortia, including the International Association of Universities (IAU), International Association of University Presidents (IAUP), Conselho de Reitores das Universidades Portuguesas (CRUP), The Association of Portuguese Speaking Universities (AULP), The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE A.s.b.l.), University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP), and Eurasia-Pacific Uninet, etc., and acts as the liaison department of UM. GAO also assists UM in organizing and/or participating in the board meetings, annual conferences, and higher education summits and forums of these international bodies.

Strategic Development – Support Vice Rector (Global Affairs) to analyze and define strategic plans and partners, including academic institutions, international associations, alliances, and other external entities, to realize the global strategy of UM.

Networking – Establish connection with external academic or education-related entities to develop partnerships and collaborations with UM, and thus to execute the global strategic plans. Act as focal contact unit for academic or education-related entities that are interested in collaborating or developing partnership with UM.

Academic Visit – Coordinate academic visits from academic or education-related entities for identifying potential cooperation. Conduct academic visits to UM’s partners and potential partners for propelling and fostering the global partnership.

Engagement – Coordinate engagement affairs between UM and external academic or education-related entities. Manage the related agreements, including joint/dual degree programme, student/academic exchange, alliance, joint platform/center/laboratory establishment, etc.

International student recruitment – Implement the strategy for international student recruitment and manage international student scholarship.

Student/Staff exchange – Promote and nurture students with an international perspective through the participation of exchange programmes, cultural exchanges and study abroad programmes. Coordinate exchange programmes (including Semester Time Exchange Programme, Summer/Winter Programme, Student Researcher Programme, Cambridge Clare Hall Visiting Fellowship Programme, Erasmus Programme, Ten Thousand Talents Programme for student exchange, etc.), and administrate scholarships for outgoing exchange.

Delegation Visit – Support courtesy visits from the delegation of consulates-general, embassies and other official.