From June 14 to 17, 2026, at the invitation of the Education and Youth Development Bureau of Macao, Wang Xin, Vice President of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU), led a delegation to the Macao Special Administrative Region. During the visit, she attended the 35th Annual Meeting of the Association of Portuguese Language Universities and the 4th Forum of Presidents of Higher Education Institutions of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. She also visited partner universities and institutions, including the University of Macao, Macao University of Science and Technology, Macao Polytechnic University, the Instituto Português do Oriente, and the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao).
At the 4th Forum of Presidents of Higher Education Institutions of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, Wang joined other university presidents to discuss the cultivation of international talent through a bilingual plus specialized field approach. She introduced SISU's major academic transformations over the decades. She pointed out that SISU has always aligned talent development with social needs to serve national development and mutual learning between civilizations. To build on its Multilingual Plus talent development strategy, SISU has innovated its educational framework. This model encourages students to progress from words and texts to literature, from literature to material heritage, from heritage to culture, and from culture to civilization. In this way, language is no longer treated simply as a tool for communication, but as a bridge to deeper cultural understanding and dialogue among civilizations. This framework enhances foreign language programs and expands paths for interdisciplinary talent development. Among these efforts, SISU’s Multilingual Plus case study featuring Portuguese + English + Business has drawn wide attention from universities at home and abroad. João Peixoto, Vice President of the University of Lisbon, responded warmly to SISU’s educational practices and expressed a strong willingness to further strengthen cooperation. During the forum, Wang also met with Ding Shaoxiong, Deputy Director of the Macao Education and Youth Development Bureau. They discussed the Portuguese Language Program for Middle School Students and shared SISU’s plans for undergraduate recruitment in Macao schools.
At Macao Polytechnic University, Vice-Rector Diamantina Rosário Coimbra met with the delegation. Both sides reviewed over 30 years of partnership and explored opportunities for future cooperation. Building on their successful cooperation in Portuguese language programs, they expressed hopes to expand into more languages and fields.
At Macao University of Science and Technology, Vice President Pang Chuan met with the delegation. Both sides shared their latest progress in discipline development. Since their academic strengths complement each other, there is great potential for expanding cooperation. The two universities agreed to build on their existing framework agreement to sign exchange protocols for faculty and students at the departmental and program levels as soon as possible.
At the University of Macao, Wang Chunming, Director of Global Affairs, met with the delegation. Both sides reviewed recent student exchanges and agreed to enhance communication between scholars from both institutions to implement more cooperative projects across various disciplines.
At Instituto Português do Oriente, Director Patrícia N. Quaresma met with the delegation. Quaresma introduced the mission and flagship initiatives of the institute. She expressed a strong desire to work with SISU to promote Portuguese language and culture. Wang highlighted SISU’s multilingual and multicultural campus culture. She noted that SISU looks forward to deepening cooperation in areas such as Portuguese language summer camps, teacher exchanges, and the translation and publication of classical texts.
At the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), Secretary-General Ji Xianzheng met with the delegation. Ji introduced the forum's achievements in promoting economic cooperation, trade, and people-to-people exchange. Wang shared SISU’s recent achievements in talent development and academic transformation. Both sides exchanged views on general education and lifelong learning at foreign language universities. They agreed to jointly organize future cultural week events focusing on Portuguese-speaking countries.
This visit has further deepened SISU’s cooperation and exchange with higher education institutions in Macao. It has expanded the fields of collaboration and laid a solid foundation for SISU’s engagement with Macao during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
The delegation included representatives from SISU’s Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office, as well as faculty members from the Portuguese program of the School of European and Latin American Studies.
