UIC President Prof Tang Tao and Provost Prof Chen Zhi attended the 40th Anniversary Celebration and Honorary Doctorate Awarding Ceremony of the City University of Macao on 28 March. At the First Presidents’ Forum on University Development and the Preparatory Roundtable on Global Alliance of Metropolitan Universities held on 29 March, Prof Chen signed a memorandum of cooperation with the City University of Macao on behalf of UIC and delivered a keynote speech about post-pandemic era exchange and collaboration between universities.
In his speech, Prof Chen talked about the development of online and cloud technology as well as the new characteristics and trends of university cooperation.
Prof Chen gives a keynote speech at the City University of Macao
Prof Chen pointed out the problems that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused such as how Chinese mainland students who have applied for overseas study but could not go. He then explained that now these students have an alternative option to study in Chinese Mainland at higher institutions such as UIC. Students can receive international education without physically going abroad. Also, the popularity of online education has given teachers more choices. In the post-pandemic era, recruiting online teachers is also a feasible way to supplement staff.
Prof Chen believes that the future may give birth to more online international university communities. Gathering teachers and courses on the internet to provide students with online degrees and projects will help promote knowledge sharing and lifelong learning.
In the post-pandemic era, online and offline hybrid teaching models bring new experiences
Prof Chen also believes that the interpersonal experience of face-to-face contact is difficult to replace. It is the general trend to attach importance to online and offline integration. Prof Chen said that in a world full of uncertainty, sharing knowledge and joint development is the future that humanity can determine. He hopes universities worldwide can open their minds, enhance exchanges and mutual trust, and expand the content and methods of cooperation.
At the the Preparatory Roundtable on Global Alliance of Metropolitan Universities, the participating members affirmed the Alliance's importance. It is a new situation and a new platform for exchanges and cooperation between universities in the post-pandemic era. The collaboration and exchanges among member universities within the alliance are more convenient and more in-depth.
At the forum, UIC and the City University of Macao signed a memorandum of understanding. In the future, the two universities will cooperate in academic exchanges, scientific research, student exchanges and more.
From MPRO
Reporter: Samuel Burgess
Photographs supplied by City University of Macao
Editors: Deen He, Covee Wang
