[Macau Daily News March 13, 2015] Liaison Office visits University of Saint Joseph (translation)
[Macau Daily News March 13, 2015] Liaison Office visits University of Saint Joseph (translation)
12
Mar
01/01/1970
In the morning of March 12, invited by the Rector of University of Saint Joseph, Peter Stilwell, Xu Ting, Director-General of the Department of Culture and Education of the Liaison Office of the Central Government, and her five-member party visited University of Saint Joseph.
In the morning of March 12, invited by the Rector of University of Saint Joseph, Peter Stilwell, Xu Ting, Director-General of the Department of Culture and Education of the Liaison Office of the Central Government, and her five-member party visited University of Saint Joseph. Together with Ms. Xu were Deputy Director-General Pu Hailong, Director Hong Bo, and Deputy Directors Guo Jianbin and Wang Lujiao.
Ms. Xu’s delegation was warmly welcomed by Rector Fr. Stilwell, Vice-Rector Maria Espadinha, Pro-Rector Vincent Yang, Administrator Susana Mieiro, Registrar Ricardo Rato, Director of Student Affairs Teresa Loong and Head of Public Relations Office Jenny Lao-Phillips. Rector Stilwell thanked the Liaison Office’s support to USJ and accompanied the guests to visit USJ’s teaching facilities at the Seminary.
The Procurator of the Seminary, Fr. Jojo Peter Ancheril, introduced the Seminary, a heritage of hundreds of years of history, and its collection of cultural relics. As the first Western style institution of higher education in the Far East, St. Paul’s College was founded in the St. Paul’s Cathedral that was originally created in 1580. This was a milestone marking the beginning of the cultural and educational exchanges between China and the West. The Cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1595 and 1601. The Jesuits missionaries built the Saint Joseph’s Seminary after. Today, the Seminary stands as a rare Western-style ancient monument that has survived from all those years of difficulties in Macau. Many valuable artifacts from the early history of the Catholics entering in China are kept here. According to Rector Stilwell, after Matteo Ricci came to Macau in 1582, he studied Chinese language and culture in the Saint Joseph Seminary before heading north into the mainland. Ricci eventually arrived in Beijing 18 years later, where he was well received and honored by the Ming Dynasty Emperor Wanli for his outstanding contribution to the exchanges of cultures and technologies between China and the West.
The delegation of Xu Ting subsequently proceeded to visit the site of USJ’s new campus at Ilha Verde. The design of the new campus is a product of an internationally renowned architectural design firm which reflects the concept of green campus. The construction project is undertaken by Hsin Chong Group, a company that managed the projects to build Venetian Macao, Sands Macau Casino and the City of Sands. According to Rector Stilwell, the construction project is progressing well and the hope is to complete it within this year. Then, USJ, as a successor of 400 years of history and a university with international features, will have a brand-new look to contribute to the development of higher education and the nurturing of high quality talents for Macau.
