The Macao Polytechnic University (MPU) was honored at the Times Higher Education Asia Awards 2026 with the “International Strategy of the Year” award, standing out among several leading higher education institutions in the region. The award recognizes the university’s efforts in building an international campus and expanding a high-quality global cooperation network, marking the first time a Macau institution has won this award.
MPU President Marcus Im stated that the award represents significant international recognition of the university’s global development strategy. He emphasized that the institution will continue to leverage Macau’s role as a bridge between China and lusophone countries, deepening the campus’s internationalization and strengthening high-level academic partnerships.
The “International Strategy of the Year” award honors universities that excel in creating and consolidating international partnerships. The jury praised MPU’s ability to promote intercultural exchange between China, Portuguese-Speaking Countries, and the so-called Global South, highlighting the scope, interdisciplinary integration, and impact of its strategy.
The awards ceremony took place on April 22 in Hong Kong, with Vice-Rector Vivian Lei accepting the award on behalf of the university. The event was attended by representatives from Times Higher Education, including Director of Operations and Global Affairs Phil Baty and President for the Asia-Pacific region Mei Mei Lim. The awards were presented by Nancy Ip, President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
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MPU’s application involved several institutional leaders, including President Marcus Im, Vice President Vivian Lei, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences Lam Chan Tong, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Translation Joaquim Ramos de Carvalho, and Head of Academic Affairs Christy Cheong.
MPU’s internationalization strategy is aligned with the development of an “international campus” and is based on four pillars: talent development, multilateral cooperation, social inclusion, and academic mobility. The goal is to integrate teaching, research, and engagement with society, thereby strengthening the institution’s global standing.
The university has been building a network of partnerships centered on cooperation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries, covering various regions, including Angola, Brazil, and Cape Verde, and progressively expanding this collaboration to other parts of the world.
Established in 2019, the Times Higher Education Awards Asia are considered one of the leading distinctions in the region’s higher education sector, recognizing innovation, leadership, and social impact. The 2026 edition received over 500 applications, with only 10 winning projects selected following a rigorous evaluation process conducted by experts from prestigious international institutions.
