The University of Macau (UM) intends to launch six new master’s degree programmes for 2023 to 2024 academic year, according to a government statement.
The UM master’s programmes will cover artificial intelligence, robotics and autonomous systems, coastal environment and safety, innovative materials, medicinal administration, and philosophy.
The deepening of tertiary education in the territory is intended to create a professional cohort to support the economic diversification of Macao, the statement says.
Last month, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng called for the development of new industries to buttress Macao’s main economic pillar of tourism. Those industries are technology, health services, financial services, and large-scale event production.
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Ho said that Macao “is a small place” and that “it cannot do everything”. However, the strategy was “in the right direction for development”.
Experts have warned that Macao needs to not only improve the training of professionals but do more to persuade them to stay in the territory in the face of record-low birth rates.
Last month, Economist José Luís de Sales Marques, president of the board of directors of the Institute of European Studies of Macau, called on the government to offer a residency pathway to mainland Chinese and foreign graduates.
“Why not give the talents we already have at Macao universities a chance to stay and make Macao their home, especially those who are married?” he told Macao News.
