USJ Macao Celebrates Graduation of 381 Students in the Class of 2024
USJ Macao Celebrates Graduation of 381 Students in the Class of 2024
07
Jul
07/07/2024
The USJ held its 2024 Graduation Ceremony for the awarding of Higher Degrees, Bachelor’s Degrees and Associate Diplomas, and Post-Graduate Diplomas in Education on the 6th July, at the Auditório Centenário de Fátima in USJ Ilha Verde Campus.
The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) held its 2024 Graduation Ceremony on the 6th of July, 2024, conferring degrees to a total of 381 students across three sessions – session A for the conferral of doctoral and master’s degrees, session B for bachelor’s degrees, and session C for Post-Graduate Diploma de Education (PGDE) graduates. The ceremony took place in the Auditório Centenário de Fátima in USJ Ilha Verde Campus.
The Class of 2024 includes 6 associate diploma recipients, 105 bachelor’s degree graduates, 167 Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) recipients, 95 master’s degree graduates, and 8 doctoral degree recipients.
The first session was officiated by the representative of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr. Kong Chi Meng, Director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ), with the presence of distinguished guests, including Rector of the Catholic University of Portugal (UCP), Prof. Isabel Capeloa Gil, representative from the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in SAR, the Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT), and the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS), Consul General of Portugal in Macao and Hong Kong Ambassador Alexandre Leitão, Diplomatic Corps accredited in Macao, Fellows from the Catholic Foundation for Higher Education, Honorary Guests, Higher Education Institutions in Macao, Donors of USJ, and local Associations.
Mr. Kong Chi Meng, Director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ), congratulated the graduates and expressed the Macao SAR Government’s commitment to higher education development. He highlighted the “1+4” strategy for economic diversification, emphasizing the need to cultivate talents for both the local community and the country. He praised USJ’s efforts in promoting Sino-Portuguese academic and cultural exchanges, noting the internationalization of its faculty and student body. He also commended the establishment of the USJ-Kong Hon Academy for Cellular Nutrition and Health, which strengthens the university’s research and development efforts in a key area.
The Rector of USJ, Rev’d Prof. Stephen Morgan congratulated the graduates on their remarkable achievements during his addresses. He emphasized that, as catholic university, USJ is committed to fostering not only academic excellence but also moral responsibility, highlighting the increasing importance of these values in a world demanding ethical leadership. “You are now not only equipped to give such leadership, you have a solemn duty, an obligation to do so,” he urged the graduates. He also addressed the doctoral graduates specifically, emphasizing their responsibility to share their knowledge and continue their scholarly pursuits with both intellect and heart.
Rector Morgan also highlighted the diversity of the graduating class, stating that the “graduands today come from a diverse range of backgrounds, nationalities and languages. They leave us ready to contribute to their societies, whether here in Macao, in China or, as friends of Macao and friends of China across the globe.” He also expressed confidence on the preparedness of the graduates in facing the challenges and opportunities they would face. “The world is complex, yet filled with opportunities for those prepared to meet them. As graduates of the University of Saint Joseph, I know that you are better-equipped to navigate this landscape because of your time at USJ.”.
The graduation ceremonies concluded with a series of speeches given by student representatives from different degrees featuring messages of gratitude, hope, appreciation, and encouragement directed to the guests, families, faculty members, and colleagues.
