University Introduction

Founded in 2000, the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) has rapidly developed into a multi-disciplinary university with the highest student enrollment in Macao. MUST endeavors to educate students specialized in various fields, attaches equal importance to teaching and research, focuses on the quality of programs, pursues excellence, and continuously reaches new heights in academic development.

In May 2022, MUST became the first university in Macao to receive full Institutional Accreditation (IA) from the UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA). The University is located in Taipa, with a campus spanning 210,000 square meters. The beautiful surroundings and convenient transport make it an ideal place for students to pursue higher education and conduct research.

Faculties and Programs

Upholding the motto of “Dedication to Practical Studies, Enhancement of Knowledge, Ability, and Quality,” MUST adheres to its mission to promote cultural exchange, nurture intellectual growth, foster economic development, and further societal progress.

The University aligns closely with the needs of Macao and the rapid development of the Motherland. It draws on and incorporates experiences from world-class higher education institutions, creates and offers a diverse range of educational programs and aims to cultivate high-quality talents who are solid in theory, competitive in practice and innovation, proficient in Chinese and English, noble in character, admirable in morality, and adaptive in the context of a globalized economy.

At the same time, MUST puts forth great efforts in conducting multi-disciplinary, cutting-edge research and strives to join the ranks of renowned universities in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Macao S.A.R. government has authorized MUST to award academic degrees at the doctoral, master, and bachelor levels, with some programs conducted in Portuguese or Spanish. Currently, there are more than 23,000 students enrolled at the University, including about 3,200 doctoral students, 6,000 master’s students, and 13,900 undergraduate students.

As of today, MUST comprises the following faculties and departments: Faculty of Innovation Engineering, Medical Sciences Division, School of Business, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Faculty of Humanities and Arts, University International College, School of Liberal Arts, and the Department of General Education. These faculties provide a wide range of courses, including Social Science, Science, Engineering, Law, Management, Business, Medicine, Pharmacy, Tourism, Art, Communication, and Language. In addition to degree programs, the School of Liberal Arts also offers evening degree programs and a variety of short courses (daytime/evening) for lifelong learners and those wishing to enrich their knowledge. In August 2023, the School of Business earned international accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), positioning it among the top 6% of business schools globally.

The University is committed to expanding graduates' employment channels and career options. Each year, it hosts large-scale "MUST Career Day" to establish strong relationships with major enterprises, providing students with more internship, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities. Additionally, the University encourages students to participate in innovation and entrepreneurship competitions, where they have consistently achieved outstanding results. The employability and opportunities for further studies of MUST graduates are highly satisfying. Several graduates continue their studies at world-renowned universities abroad, while some have secured employment in government departments and well-known enterprises.

Faculty and Research Development

The key to excellent education and extraordinary research is to have a knowledgeable, professional, experienced, and internationalized faculty team. MUST has about 1,200 professional staff, including chair professors, professors, distinguished professors, associate professors, and assistant professors. Many academic and research staff have either worked or studied at world-renowned institutions and universities.

In addition, MUST has invited a group of world-class specialists and experts to teach undergraduate and postgraduate courses. These specialists include academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the Academia Sinica in Taiwan, the United Kingdom Royal Academy of Engineering, the United States National Academy of Sciences, Highly Cited Scholars, and other top scholars. By teaching courses and supervising graduates, these outstanding scholars impart the newest knowledge, disseminate the latest research findings, and introduce students to international perspectives and diverse cultures.

Academic freedom has always been a pursuit of the University. MUST supports academic staff and researchers in developing diverse research projects and encourages teachers to collaborate and produce new knowledge, new technology, and new products. This approach advances diversified academic development and provides services for both Macao’s and national progress. MUST focuses on developing the University’s existing strengths in research areas such as quality control and innovative drugs in Chinese medicines, lunar and planetary sciences, cancer and rheumatism treatment, system engineering, environmental science, smart city, architecture and city planning, human resources management, and gaming tourism management. Other areas of interest include studies on Macao history, society, culture, and sustainable development, comparative studies of cross-regional laws in the cross-strait region, art design, communication, intellectual property protection, marine protection development, next-generation internet, innovation in robotics technologies, mathematical sciences, and Macao intellectual property services.

MUST encourages faculty to publish high-quality research findings. In recent years, the University has been granted about 150 national and provincial research projects annually. Our research publications in SCI/SSCI academic journals have increased continuously, with an annual average of more than 1,300 papers, over 50% of which are published in the Q1 zone, including top scientific journals such as “Cell,” “Science,” and “Nature.” Additionally, more than 440 international patents have been granted. In 2024, 60 MUST scholars were ranked among the World's Top 2% Scientists released by Stanford University.

Currently, MUST owns four state-level research platforms:

the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine;
the State Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Sciences;
the National Observation and Research Station of Coastal Ecological Environments in Macao, and
the Research Centre for Macao History, Chinese Academy of History.

Additionally, more than 20 prominent institutes and research centers have been established to conduct strategically interdisciplinary and cutting-edge research in multiple fields. The University also established Macao’s first laboratory named after a Nobel Prize Winner, “Dr. Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery.” Furthermore, the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China authorized MUST to jointly establish six centers of the Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences Partner Base and Joint Laboratory with higher institutions in Mainland China. The University has successively established the “Zhuhai-MUST Science and Technology Research Institute” and the “Macau University of Science and Technology Innovation Technology Research Institute” in Hengqin to meet the development needs of core industries in the Greater Bay Area. These institutes will focus on specialized frontier scientific and technological innovation for industrial applications and the transformation of scientific research achievements. It also aims to extensively pool resources to cultivate and gather industrial talents while expanding its influence across the country.

Campus Life and Facilities

With respect to campus facilities, MUST has a beautiful campus with several modern teaching buildings, well-established laboratories, and rich collections of library resources. MUST advocates a harmonious, professional, and caring campus that facilitates students’ all-round development and whole-person education. The teaching complex also includes a theater, cinema, classrooms, research labs, hands-on teaching labs, and studios, providing robust facilities to enhance educational standards.

It has set up a Mentor Scheme to assist students in coping with problems in their studies and life. By holding various student social activities, students are encouraged to actively participate in extracurricular activities to develop organizational skills, improve social and cognitive abilities, and broaden their knowledge span.

MUST provides diverse facilities for students to engage in different kinds of extracurricular activities. For example, the student center includes multiple piano rooms, rehearsal rooms, multi-functional rooms, and other spaces that are open to use for free all year round. The Art Troupe has become a hallmark of the University’s art and culture, offering students a stage to showcase their artistic talent. The Center for Entrepreneurship and Career Planning helps students find their personal strengths and expertise, explore their potential, establish a healthy core value system for career development, and enhance their competitiveness and preparation for entering the labor market or entrepreneurship. The Student Affairs Office organizes visits, field trips, and community activities for students. The University encourages students to participate actively in various professional competitions locally and abroad. Based on students’ interests, the Student Affairs Office coordinates various training programs and provides guidance and counseling services.

The campus has convenience stores, bank centers, student restaurants, a teaching restaurant, a food studio, coffee corners, a computer store, an Olympic-standard track with a field stadium and gymnasium, and a tennis court, providing conveniences for students to exercise and meet all their needs. The University owns five dormitories located on campus, and others in Macao and Coloane, providing sufficient work, study, and living arrangements for teachers and students.

The University Hospital is located on campus, providing 24-hour support and handling emergencies for students and staff. The hospital is equipped with advanced equipment and staffed by a local professional medical team, as well as specialists from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and other countries. Moreover, the University has a security force that patrols the campus and dormitories to maintain an orderly campus environment.

Regional Exchange and International Cooperation

On December 19, 2024, President Xi Jinping visited the Macau University of Science and Technology. During this visit, President Xi provided important guidance for the University's development, encouraging two-way exchanges between the mainland and Macao. He expressed hope that Macao, as an international city, would effectively serve as a "super connector" by "leveraging the strengths of its Motherland and connecting with the world," preserving its international character and furthering its global connections.

In terms of academic construction and management, MUST aims to become an international university with leading management standards by integrating the experience of world-renowned universities with specific local, social, and cultural characteristics. The University is establishing its own management principles and culture, model and framework, mechanisms, and procedures that fit into its international outreach.

At present, MUST has established multiple forms of partnerships with more than two hundred institutions in Europe, America, Australia, Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong in educational programs, academic research, personnel training, student exchanges, and other areas. It has also become a member of the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP), the International Association of Universities (IAU), and the Association of Portuguese Language Universities (AULP).

MUST encourages students to engage in overseas exchange programs and provides long-term, mid-term, and short-term funding for outstanding students to study abroad. It also supports students in pursuing further studies or employment overseas in various ways, including through recommendations and other means.

Looking ahead, MUST will continue to attach equal importance to teaching and research, attract talents from all fields, hold tight to the two key elements of “quality” and “innovation,” and leverage the advantages of a non-profit private university. This approach will enable MUST to continue improving through excellent education and outstanding research, ultimately serving society by fulfilling its mission.