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. In the 2023-2024 academic year, 103 scholarships and fellowships were awarded; a little over 5% of our low-income students received financial aid, among whom 71% were from developing countries.

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 2023-2024 academic year, several key activities took place, including the expansion of networks by the Macau Spin Incubator through visits to the Macao Government and Consulates in Macau. These efforts aim to promote economic development and innovation. Additionally, we co-hosted a seminar, which was marked by the signing ceremony of the Establishment of the USJ Sino-Lusophone Business Incubation Base. This seminar is designed to support young entrepreneurs and cultivate innovation.

ACCESS TO BASIC SERVICES

To promote access to basic resources – such as food, water, and housing – for economically marginalised groups, our students engaged in a volunteer teaching programme in the academic year 2023-2024. Additionally, USJ students attended an Info-Session. Our students benefitted from their participation by gaining valuable understanding of different startup support programmes.