The launching ceremony for MPI’s new “Bachelor of Social Sciences in Sino-Lusophone Trade Relations” and the text book “Global Portuguese” was held on 26^th March in Lecture Theatre 1, Wui Chi Building, Macao Polytechnic Institute. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng, extended his best wishes and visions for the future, with President Lei Heong Iok expressing his gratitude and MPI’s determination to further promote Sino-Lusophone relations.

“MPI launches the new course book, ‘Global Portuguese’, which showcases our position in the Portuguese education and research field,” said Professor Lei Heong Iok, President of Macao Polytechnic Institute. “MPI will spare no effort and will continue to promote the Portuguese language and to explore the widening of Sino-Lusophone connections”. The new text book ‘Global Portuguese’ will be widely introduced to universities in Macao and the rest of China.

MPI’s new programme, the ‘Bachelor of Social Sciences in Sino-Lusophone Trade Relations’, focuses on nurturing high-standards and producing experts in the Portuguese language who will also acquire a deep knowledge and understanding of the economic and legal environments of Portuguese-speaking countries.

Mr Tam congratulated MPI on its launch of the new programme and the text book, saying that he believed the programme would strengthen ties and serve as a platform for deeper relations between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Macao is uniquely and naturally bestowed with a vast potential for Sino-Lusophone development, and hence we should grasp the opportunity to further explore and expand connections and exchanges between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

President Lei expressed his gratitude to Mr Tam for his presence and speech. He also took the opportunity to thank and express his appreciation for the work done by Dr. Marcus Im Sio Kei, Director of the School of Public Administration, Professor Aurélia de Almeida, Course Coordinator of the new course and Professor Luciano de Almeida, Director of the School of Languages and Translation and its staff, as well as all other parties and individuals involved in the preparation and operation of the new programme.