After a distinguished 36-year career at the University of Macau (UM), including 14 years as College Master of Stanley Ho East Asia College (SHEAC), Professor Iu Vai Pan is retiring at the end of July 2024.
During his time at UM, Professor Iu has served with profound achievements and contribution across a range of senior roles. In 1988, Professor Iu joined the University of East Asia, the predecessor of UM, where he taught computer science and was invited by then vice rector, Professor Li Tianqing, to help develop a civil engineering programme. After the establishment of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Professor Iu began as the university’s first assistant professor in civil engineering. In August 1999, at the young age of 42, Professor Iu was inaugurated as the new Rector of the University. Throughout all the years, including those of rectorship, from 1999 to 2008, Professor Iu continued lecturing civil engineering, as he relishes the joy of teaching. In 2010, he became the Founding Master of East Asia College (now Stanley Ho East Asia College), and has served as our College Master for 14 years.
Under Professor Iu’s leadership, our College went through a period of unprecedented initiatives and transformation during its early stage as a pilot residential college on the old campus in Taipa. After moving to the Hengqin campus, as one of the ten RCs that have been in full operation under the RC system, SHEAC has seen a sharp rise in its student numbers and thus demand for varied types of advisory services and learning opportunities. Professor Iu has continued dedicating his time to interact with students, advocating for better support for students, and guiding his team for more effective operations and management. Highlights of his interactions with students, among many, include Justice Workshops launched and hosted by himself since 2010 consecutively for nearly 14 years, High Table Dinners, Master’s Teas, Master’s Dinners and Lunches, as well as running and hiking activities. Students have always cherished his wisdom, and his empathetic, engaging and perceptive character.
On 18 May, 2024, an informal farewell party was organised by SHEAC to celebrate Professor Iu’s contribution, hard work and dedication to the University and the College. Nearly a hundred participants, including former and current co-workers, fellows, affiliates, alumni and senior students joined this bittersweet occasion. On 18 July, an appreciation reception was held by the University, where the Rector, Vice-Rectors and many colleagues joined to share their gratefulness to Professor Iu for his devoted efforts and recognised contributions to UM.
In closing, SHEAC members and staff would like to express our deepest gratitude to Professor Iu for his passion about education, and his unwavering commitment and dedicated service to SHEAC and our students. We are grateful for the fond memories shared with Professor Iu over the last decade and beyond. We believe our relationships will continue forever. Let us extend our heartfelt wishes to Professor Iu as he embarks on new exciting endeavours.
歲月映初心，薪火永相傳 —— 何鴻燊東亞書院創院院長姚偉彬教授榮休
姚偉彬教授在澳門大學度過了36年卓著的職業生涯，其中包括擔任何鴻燊東亞書院院長十四年，姚教授於2024年7月底榮休。
在澳大任職期間，姚教授曾擔任多個關鍵管理職位，並作出了重大成就和貢獻。1988年，姚教授加入東亞大學（澳大前身），任教電腦科學，並應時任副校長李天慶教授之邀，協助開設土木工程課程。澳大科技學院成立後，姚教授開始擔任大學首位土木工程系助理教授。1999年8月，四十二歲的姚教授出任大學校長。姚教授非常享受教學的樂趣，儘管擔任校長，他仍然一直任教土木工程。2010年，姚教授成為東亞書院（現何鴻燊東亞書院）的創院院長，並在此崗位上服務了十四年。
東亞書院作為早期澳大氹仔舊校區的住宿式書院試點，在姚教授的領導下，東亞書院度過了艱難的起步和轉型期。書院於2014年搬遷至橫琴校區，作為澳大書院系統下全面運作的十所書院之一後，學生人數遽增，因此對各類諮詢輔導及學習機會也產生了巨大的需求。姚教授持續投入大量時間與同學們交流互動，致力為學生提供更好的服務與支援，並指導書院團隊進行更有效的運作與管理。他與學生互動的亮點包括自2010年起連續近14年由他自己發起並主辦的公平與正義工作坊、高桌晚宴、院長茶聚、院長晚宴及院長午餐，以及跑步和健行爬山活動。同學們一直認為姚教授是一位非常睿智，富有同理心、洞察力及積極個性的優秀教授。
2024年5月18日，書院舉辦了一場歡送會，以感謝頌揚姚教授對大學及書院的貢獻、辛勤付出和奉獻精神。包括前任和現任同事、非駐院導師、校友及高年級同學在內的近百名參與者出席了歡送會，我們一起度過了這個特別難忘的時刻。7月18日，大學舉行了答謝招待會，校長、副校長們及眾多位同事齊聚一堂，感謝姚教授對澳大的付出與貢獻。
最後，何鴻燊東亞書院全體仝人謹向姚教授表示最深切的謝意，感謝他對教育的熱誠，以及他對書院和同學們的堅定承諾和熱忱服務。我們感謝過去十多年，乃至未來，與姚教授分享著美好的回憶。我們相信我們與姚教授的友好關係將持續下去。讓我們向姚教授致以衷心的祝願，祝福他開展精彩的人生新旅程。