President Professor Lei Heong Iok of Macao Polytechnic Institute was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Lisbon on May 3, in recognition of MPI's contribution to preserving Portuguese-speaking culture in Macao, promoting cooperation and development between Macao and Portuguese higher education institutions, and enhancing Sino-Portuguese relations. The University of Lisbon’s honorary doctorate is the highest award given by the University to people who have made major contributions towards the development of Portuguese language and culture and Professor Lei is the first Chinese scholar to have received one.