SDG 1 NO POVERTY

EQUAL ACCESS

At USJ, we are aware that education is a powerful tool for addressing poverty. Equal access to education can help students from low-income backgrounds find success, build more resilient communities, and create positive change. To promote accessibility, USJ has established policies for admission and success targets, as well as financial, housing, academic, and counselling support measures targeting local and international students from low-income backgrounds.

As the COVID-19 epidemic worsened in our region at the start of 2020, several students faced unexpected financial pressures. In response, USJ quickly established a Hardship Fund to help release students from those pressures and allow them to continue their studies. During the 2024-2025 academic year, we awarded scholarships and fellowships. A total of 175 awards; total amount MOP9.3 million; donated by 19 local institutions and individual donors; 5% of recipients represent students from low-income countries who received financial aid, housing, and essential support. 68% of aid recipients are students from developing countries. Provided access to higher education for underprivileged individuals.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES

Sustainable businesses contribute to economic development and positively impact the community. USJ partners with the local government and other organisations to provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop sustainable businesses. We are committed to offering start-up opportunities through training programmes, capital investment, resource allocation, sharing of space, and networking.

In the academic year 2024-2025, we signed an agreement with Oxfam, highlighting our collaborations with global and local NGOs. This collaboration included Oxfam’s sharing session on local poverty and the introduction of four local service programs. We also signed agreements to establish the Youth Development Base Serving Macao and Hengqin. This resulted in the inauguration of the “Macao Youth Startup Community Living Room”, which supports Macao youth integration into the Cooperation Zone, boosts regional appeal for young people, and promotes cross-border exchanges and development between young people in Macao and Hengqin.

ACCESS TO BASIC SERVICES

To promote access to basic resources – such as food, water, and housing – for economically marginalised groups, we participated in the 55th Caritas Charity Bazaar to raise funds for community welfare and social support. This gesture reflects our students’ commitment to supporting charitable efforts and their active role in promoting community welfare.