Based in Macao, China, the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) is a Catholic, privately funded, international institution of higher education. With a rich history dating back to 1594, USJ combines rigorous academic training with a strong emphasis on ethical development, community engagement, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Its distinctive blend of Eastern and Western perspectives establishes it as an ideal destination for students seeking global education.
Led by Rector Stephen Morgan since 2020, USJ is guided by his vision and dynamic leadership. As an associate Professor of Theology and Ecclesiastical History from Wales, UK, Stephen comes with a wealth of academic and business expertise to the university’s community.
USJ’s Academic Structure and Philosophy
USJ is a comprehensive university comprising four faculties: Religious Studies and Philosophy, Arts and Humanities, Business and Law, and Health Sciences. It also includes two schools, the School of Education and the Doctoral School, as well as two institutes, the Institute of Science and Environment and the Institute of Data Engineering and Science.
USJ offers a wide range of programs at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels across diverse fields, including but not limited to Design, Architecture, Business Administration, Psychology, Neuroscience, Biotechnology, and Environmental Sciences. The Faculty of Religious Studies and Philosophy offers programs like the Bachelor of Christian Studies, which prepares students for ministry or further studies. With a diverse student body and faculty from over 50 nationalities. The university’s primary medium of instruction is English while embracing Macao’s trilingual (English-Portuguese-Chinese) context. USJ’s educational philosophy emphasizes the importance of the formation of the individual by rigorous academic training with a strong emphasis on ethical development, community engagement, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The university has three campuses, including the NAPE campus, where the Institute of Science and Environment is located; the Seminary Campus, where the Faculty of Religious Studies and Philosophy is located; and its main campus, located in Ilha Verde, which was inaugurated in 2019, and incorporates cutting-edge sustainable design and technology
Upholding Catholic Heritage in a Global Context
USJ balances its Catholic mission and identity with a global, multicultural student body by fostering an inclusive environment that respects diverse faiths and backgrounds. USJ achieves this balance privileging its Catholic values, and integrating ethics and social responsibility, enriching rather than excluding diverse perspectives. The university’s small-class teaching groups encourage nuanced exploration of universal human values.
USJ’s membership of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU) and the Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASEACCU) demonstrates its commitment to Catholic education on a global level.
The Enduring Influence of USJ’s East-West Legacy
USJ’s East-West legacy continues to shape its academic offerings and strategic priorities. Its programs emphasize intercultural exchange, with courses in Chinese, Portuguese, and English nurturing talents with bilingual proficiency and cultural fluency.
USJ’s Strategic partnerships with international institutions and memberships in organizations such as IFCU, ASEACCU, Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP), and International Association of Universities (IAU) enhance regional collaboration and drive interdisciplinary programs in areas like global business and cultural sustainability.
The university’s focus on Macao’s role as a platform for China and Portuguese-speaking countries further informs its academic initiatives and drives interdisciplinary programs and events in areas like global business and cultural sustainability.
Preparing Students for a Global Workforce
USJ equips students with today’s demands through collaborative, practice-based learning and interdisciplinary programs that blend critical thinking, ethical reflection, and practical skills.
The university’s small-class model emphasized personalized attention, while joint degrees with European and Asian universities broadened perspectives. Students are also encouraged to take on exchange programs at partner universities to enrich their global perspective. Language programs in Mandarin and Portuguese further equip students to navigate diverse professional landscapes.
Integrating Critical Thinking, Ethics, and Social Responsibility
USJ integrates critical thinking, ethics, and social responsibility into its academic programs through different initiatives. Over 96% of its programs include modules tied to the UN SDGs, embedding ethics and sustainability into disciplines such as business and environmental science. Modules in philosophy, bioethics, and environmental ethics encourage students to analyze global and local issues critically. The USJ Environmental Action Programme and Social Outreach Programme, including the USJ Prison Outreach Programme, also encourage community engagement.
Faculty Research Reflecting Real-world Challenges
USJ’s faculty engages in research that addresses the real world challenges of Macao and the Broader East Asian regions. The university’s Research Lab for Cultural Sustainability preserves cultural heritage, while the Macao Observatory for Social Development studies local social issues such as elderly care and aging and pursues ways to improve society with its findings and collaborative programs.
The Institute of Science and Environment’s Mangroves Project is another key research initiative, protecting Macao’s coastal areas and addressing bigger environmental challenges in Asia. By studying and restoring mangrove forests, USJ’s research has helped shape Macao’s environmental landscape and attracted support from Chinese and international organizations.
Developing Global Perspectives
USJ fosters global perspectives in its students through various initiatives. The university has established international partnerships with over 80 institutions across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas, providing students with engagement from numerous cultures and ideas. USJ also hosts free events like seminars and public lectures with invited international academics on global perspectives to broaden students’ horizons.
USJ’s Initiatives to Support International Students
USJ provides support to international students to facilitate their transition into academic and everyday life in Macao. The university’s Residential Hall on the Ilha Verde Campus accommodates around 170 students with priority for international and exchange students. USJ’s multicultural environment, with students from over 40 countries, eases cultural transitions.
Scholarships are also available to alleviate financial burdens, mainly for students from Portuguese-speaking countries and ASEACCU members. Additionally, field trips and activities organized by the office for Student and Alumni Affairs help international students integrate socially.
Fostering Inclusivity at USJ
USJ creates an inclusive environment for students and faculty from diverse backgrounds, faiths, and identities. The university provides tailored support for students with special needs, including adaptive IT software and extended exam times, evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The university offers financial assistance, such as Community Scholarships and Fellowships, and the USJ Hardship Fund, to support low-income students. USJ also engages in inclusive education research and social outreach programs, demonstrating its commitment to promoting equal learning opportunities and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations.
Accelerating Technology-Enhanced Education
USJ had established a technological framework for teaching and learning before the pandemic. However, the pandemic accelerated the practical adoption of these technologies, with telematic video conferencing and asynchronous information management systems proving effective. This shift has strengthened USJ’s capacity to deliver flexible, technology-enhanced education.
Harnessing Technology for Enhanced Partnership
Stephen is excited about partnerships involving educational technology, mainly in enhancing benchmarking, weighted rankings, and collaborations with other universities. Advanced online platforms have significantly improved the efficiency and impact of these partnerships, supporting USJ’s self-assessment and quality assurance processes.
The Vision for Catholic Higher Education
Stephen envisions Catholic higher education in Asia to focus on promoting human dignity and fostering inclusive, ethical, and humanizing values for all students. The development of the International Federation of Catholic Universities, of which he is Vice President, and its regional associations is seen as crucial in strengthening integration and consolidating Catholic higher education globally.
Advice for Young Academics and Future Leaders
Stephen advises young academics and future university leaders to view institutions of higher learning as dynamic spaces for collaborative knowledge acquisition and development. Prioritizing ethics, collaboration, adaptability, and creativity will be crucial in shaping the universities of the future.
