[26 Years of Blooming, Forging Ahead with Resolve] The 26th Anniversary Celebration and Ceremony for Conferment of Honorary Doctoral Degrees of MUST was Held
BackOn the morning of March 27th, 2026, the 26th Anniversary Celebration and Ceremony for Conferment of Honorary Doctoral Degrees of MUST was held in the University’s Grand Auditorium in Block R Academic Complex, with an online broadcast. Guests from within China and all over the world attended the ceremony. Ms. O Lam, Representative of the Chef Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture; Mr. LI Xuefei, Director-General of the Department of Education and Youth Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region; Mr. CHENG Lei, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region attend the Ceremony. At the ceremony, the 2026 honorary doctoral degrees were presented to seven distinguished guests: Prof. CHEN Shiyi, Prof. FENG Jicai, Prof. Yuk Ming Dennis LO, Prof. Krzysztof PALCZEWSKI, Prof. QIAN Chengdan, Prof. TANG Ben Zhong, and Mr. George Yong-Boon YEO.
From Left︰Jian-Kang Zhu, TANG Ben Zhong, Krzysztof PALCZEWSKI, CHEN Shiyi, LIU Chak-Wan, O Lam, LI Xuefei, Yuk Ming Dennis LO, QIAN Chengdan and George Yong-Boon YEO.
Other guests who attended the ceremony were Dr. LIU Chak-Wan, Chancellor and Chairman of the University Council of MUST; members of the Board of Trustees of the MUST Foundation; members of the Consultation Committee, the Foundation Committee, members of the Board of Trustees and members of the Consultation Committee of MUST; distinguished guests from various local sectors and overseas, as well as MUST alumni, students, faculty, and staff gathered at the ceremony to jointly celebrate this festive occasion. Guests unable to attend expressed their congratulatory wishes via correspondence and souvenirs.
The national anthem ushered in the ceremony
President of MUST, Chair Professor Jian-Kang Zhu delivered a speech
President Jian-Kang Zhu delivered a speech saying that the honorary doctorate is regarded as the highest honor bestowed by the University and serves as a recognition of the exceptional accomplishments and contributions of individuals who have made a significant impact in their respective fields or in society. Welcome to the MUST family!
Looking back on MUST’s twenty-six years of development, President Zhu stated that the University has established a complete talent cultivation system spanning bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, and built a high-caliber international faculty team. Eleven disciplines now rank in the global top 1% according to Essential Science Indicators (ESI), and for seven consecutive years. MUST has ranked among the top 300 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. By 2025, 19 disciplines were included in the ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, and 89 scholars were named to Stanford University’s list of the World’s Top 2% Scientists. Not long ago, the University was awarded the 2025 Medal of Merit in Education by the Macao SAR Government—an affirmation of our achievements and an encouragement for our future endeavors.
President Zhu stated that while standing at the new starting point, the University will steadfastly uphold the core values of “loving the country and loving Macao,” cultivating more high-caliber innovative talents with both virtue and ability, international vision, and competitiveness. MUST will further focus on scientific frontiers and societal needs, enhance research capabilities, strengthen interdisciplinary innovation, and strive to produce more high-quality outcomes, continue to deepen international exchanges and regional cooperation, actively participating in the development of the Greater Bay Area and the Hengqin Zone. He believes that, with strong support from the nation and the SAR Government, MUST will surely carry forward the past and forge ahead in the years to come, contributing even more to Macao’s integration into the national development landscape, the Greater Bay Area’s emergence as an international hub for technological innovation, accelerating high-level scientific and technological self-reliance, and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
President Zhu once again extended his congratulations to the recipients of the 2026 Honorary Doctorates and took this opportunity to express gratitude for the support the University has received from all sectors of society over the years.
Dr. CHEN Ji Min, Vice Chairman and Secretary General (Concurrent) of University Council, delivered a speech
Dr. CHEN Ji Min, Vice-Chairman and Secretary General of the University Council of MUST, on behalf of the University Council, extended her warmest congratulations and highest respect to the seven recipients of the Honorary Doctorate, and expressed sincere gratitude to the Central Government, the Macao SAR Government, and all partners who have long supported the development of MUST. She stated that the seven Honorary Doctors have achieved remarkable accomplishments. Their gracious acceptance to join the MUST family is not only an endorsement of one university, but also a show of support for higher education in Macao.
She believes their wisdom and presence will enrich the University and serve as a model for its faculty and students. She noted that since the handover, Macao has pursued the vision of “revitalizing Macao through education” and “building Macao with talent,” actively aligning with national strategies. Higher education in Macao has achieved leapfrog growth, marked by increases in student and faculty numbers, improvements in teaching and research quality, and expansion in campus space.
Chancellor Dr. LIU Chak-Wan conferred the 2026 honorary doctoral degrees.
Prof. CHEN Shiyi, Doctor of Engineering honoris causa
Prof. FENG Jicai was unable to attend the ceremony, the University will hold a presentation on a seperate date.
Prof. Yuk Ming Dennis LO, Doctor of Medicine honoris causa
Prof. Krzysztof PALCZEWSKI, Doctor of Medicine honoris causa
Prof. QIAN Chengdan, Doctor of Humanities honoris causa
Prof. TANG Ben Zhong, Doctor of Science honoris causa
Mr. George Yong-Boon YEO, Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa
Prof. CHEN Shiyi gave a thank-you speech
On behalf of all the 2026 honorary doctorate recipients, Prof. CHEN Shiyi said that it was a great honor to be awarded an honorary doctorate and expressed his sincere gratitude to the University. Prof. CHEN pointed out that since its founding in 2000, MUST has achieved remarkable growth, evolving into Macao’s largest comprehensive university. He deeply admired the clear mission: rooted in Macao, serving the nation, embracing the world — a vision that has guided its rapid and meaningful development. He recalled visiting MUST last October, where he engaged in fruitful exchanges with faculty and students. That visit left a deep impression: the vibrant academic atmosphere, the innovative zeal of young minds, and the University’s commitment to tackling real-world challenges. He recognized that Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) Ningbo and MUST share the same values and common goals, united by their common youth and forward-thinking approach. Meanwhile, he urged the students to stay curious, embrace innovation, and emphasized that “When young people thrive, institutions and nations thrive.” Prof. CHEN expressed that as a new member of MUST family, he is deeply proud, and extended his congratulations on the University's 26th anniversary, wishing for even greater success in the years to come.
The Ceremony
Guests, faculties, and students noted that it was a privilege to witness the University’s 26th anniversary, and to attend the ceremony of conferment of honorary doctorates. Afterward, they will participate in a series of activities of the 26th Anniversary Celebration, including forums, and academic lectures by world-renowned experts, on board subjects that will be both intellectually stimulating and profoundly engaging.
On the same day at 8 a.m. a flag raising was performed