A smoke-free environment is beneficial to the health of both university members and visitors. According to the Regime of Tobacco Prevention and Control (Law No. 5/2011 as amended by Law No. 9/2017) in Macao, smoking is prohibited in all indoor and outdoor areas on campus to create a fresher and cleaner atmosphere.
Life-long learning is beneficial to enriching life and career. The University strives to foster a life-long learning culture in the community and worldwide. Demonstrating a keen interest in and strong capacity for life-long learning is one of the attributes with which the University is committed to cultivate its graduates. The University’s Lifelong Learning Access Policy affirms the University's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment that accommodates diverse backgrounds and needs. Globally-downloadable mobile apps and online platforms are developed, motivating users to learn freely and effectively around the world. A wide spectrum of outreach educational activities is offered to the community in the forms of vocational training, seminars, and conferences. These online learning resources and outreach educational activities are accessible to all public learners regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion or other characteristics.
A culture of diversity, equality and inclusion is promoted through regular cultural exchange activities, diverse work languages, as well as a diversified campus community. The University is committed to promoting equal opportunities in academic and professional pursuits for both staff and students on campus. The Framework Law on Employment Policy and Worker’s Rights (Law No. 40/95/M) and the Regulations for Securing Equal Opportunities and Treatment for both Male and Female Employees (Decree-law No. 52/95/M) are practised at the University together with its Personnel Charter. Any form of discrimination based on ethnicity, colour, religion, sexuality, gender, disability and age in study and work environment shall not be tolerated. The University shall take all necessary actions to eliminate, prevent and end the occurrence of discrimination, fostering mutual respect and discrimination-free environment in student life and the workplace.
The following employment policies outline the University’s dedication to constructing an inclusive and discrimination-free environment:
The University is committed to creating a family-friendly workspace that supports staff in balancing their professional or academic responsibilities with family commitments. According to the University’s Personnel Charter and Academic Regulations, employees who become parents are entitled to maternity or paternity leave, while students can apply for a leave of absence for circumstances such as maternity requiring long-term rehabilitation. To further promote the wellbeing of parents and young families, the University provides dedicated facilities, including well-equipped lactation rooms that enable nursing mothers to express milk comfortably and privately while at work or on campus. Lactation breaks are also available to ensure flexibility and health support. These measures, combined with a culture of respect and understanding, underscore the University's dedication to fostering an equitable and supportive environment.
Living Wage
The employee pay scheme governed by the University’s Personnel Charter is formulated according to the pay scale of the Macao government. Employees are secured with remuneration that far exceeds the Macao statutory minimum wage as well as the local living wage level, being capable of supporting a living style of reasonable quality. The pay scale is calculated using index points* rather than the actual monetary amounts. The monetary value of an index point is reviewed by the Macao government annually to ensure a sustainable pay scale.
* The housing subsidies provided to staff members are also defined in index points following the same review process by the Macao government and updated in the same pace as a result of housing affordability evaluation. The ratio of the current housing allowance to Macao's minimum monthly subsistence index is 84%.
Pay Scale Equity
The University is committed to creating a fair workplace with equal pay for work of equal value for women and men. Under this principle, the University fosters equality for all employees, regardless of gender, receiving fair and equal wage for their work. The University shall take initiatives to improve gender equality outcomes and ensure pay scale equity, including measurement and elimination of gender pay gaps. The pay scheme stated above is categorised by rank and job position for academic and non-academic staff on the basis of a transparent and informative system. Consistent criteria are used in determining the terms and conditions of employment for the treatment of women and men performing work of equal value. An annual analysis is performed to observe the gender pay scale balance across various ranks and job positions.
Employment Ethical Practices and Anti-Slavery
The University is committed to combatting modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and child labour, which are unethical and crimes in essence. The University is committed to be ethical in all of its dealings in compliance with relevant legal regimes and conventions. The Law for Combatting the Crime of Trafficking in Persons are in force in Macao. The Convention concerning Forced or Compulsory Labour and the Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour are applicable to Macao. These frameworks ensure that the University’s employment practices are ethical and compliant with legal obligations.
At the University, employment practices are governed by the Personnel Charter, which specifies transparent recruitment procedures, the standard work hours, and the legal age for employment amongst other rules and regulations, ensuring that any forms of modern slavery are not taking place in the University.
Trade Unions and Employee Rights
The University is dedicated to protecting the rights of all employees, recognising it as an essential component of an equitable workplace. The University recognises Macao Polytechnic University Staff Association as a trade union which advocates for the labour rights and benefits for all employees, including women and international staff. According to Article 27 of Basic Law of the Macao SAR, Macao residents have freedom of association, and the right and freedom to form and join trade unions. Convention concerning the Application of the Principles of the Right to Organise and to Bargain Collectively (Law No. 58/2001) and Convention concerning Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise (Law No. 55/2001) is applicable to Macao, ensuring the freedom of association and collective bargain of all employees. Adhering to government legislation and international standards, the University aims to create an inclusive and equitable environment where every staff member can thrive.
Employee Feedback and Appeal
The University has in place employee feedback and appeal mechanisms to collect employees’ feedback and ensure their rights are protected. Employees are able to provide their feedback through various approaches. The rights and obligations of employees as well as relevant appeal procedures are stipulated in the University’s Personnel Charter, which is accessible online. Employees are encouraged to first discuss their concerns with their immediate supervisors, aiming to resolve the issue at the earliest stage. If the issue is not resolved informally, employees may submit a formal appeal in writing to the Personnel Office or the Administrative Board. Cases of appeal are handled following the processes described in the Personnel Charter.
Equivalent Rights of Workers for Outsourcing Activities
The University strives to provide a safe and healthy working environment to its employees and outsourced workers, and is committed to exercising due care when considering outsourcing proposals. Employment practice equivalent rights of outsourced workers of the University are covered under following scope:
The University requires its outsourcing providers to comply with applicable laws and conventions regarding the above scope, ensuring ethical practices and equivalent rights of workers when outsourcing activities to third parties.
Equivalent rights, fair compensation and treatment for workers employed by outsourcing providers are ensured through the implementation of proper mechanisms for selection and performance monitoring as a mandatory requirement. In compliance with the Macao legal requirements, regulations protecting rights of outsourced workers are stipulated in every release of the University’s tender notice, which is a legal practice to start the procedures for outsourcing services. The tender notice serves as an integral part of the outsourcing contract and any violation to the terms and conditions will be handled through a legal approach. Such inclusion emphasises that outsourced service providers must fulfil the legal requirements of paying a reasonable (at least above minimum) wage and provide employment that is free of discrimination and that guarantees legal rights of workers.
The University has no tolerance for all illegal behaviours such as organized crime, corruption and bribery. All university members are required to follow the established codes of conduct and abide by the laws. Cases of misconduct shall be handled seriously in compliance with relevant procedural regulations. Cases where the misconduct is of criminal nature shall be reported to the judicial authorities.
The University subscribes to the ethos of academic freedom, which includes freedom of research and teaching. Academics, both junior and senior, are encouraged to share or disseminate knowledge and expertise about their areas of scholarship. This could include sharing research findings, participating in public discourse, and contributing to the community, thereby enhancing the role of the University in society. Academics and students are both expected to adhere to ethical standards and engage in scholarly work that is honest and rigorous, presenting their ideas in a respectful and thoughtful manner. By fostering an environment where diverse ideas can be exchanged and explored, the University upholds the values of inquiry, creativity, and respect that are fundamental to learning and discovery.
Sustainable catering and supplies help to bring positive environmental impacts, a supply of healthy and nutritionally balanced food, as well as productive purchasing process, introducing eco-friendly habits onto the campus. Each procedure throughout the supply chain, including sourcing, consumption and disposal, shall be monitored and managed in such a way that considers environmental and social impacts, and benefits to the community. The following policies apply to all catering and procurement process handled within the University:
The University prioritises the reduction of plastic and disposable items and strives to foster a sustainable campus environment through effective waste management practices and educational initiatives. The Waste Management Policy provides a framework for effective waste management at the University. This policy aims to minimize waste generation and plastic use, provide guidelines for the proper disposal of general waste and hazardous waste, promote recycling and reuse, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations, thereby contributing to the University's sustainability goals. All internal units, contractors and outsourced service providers work together to minimise the use of single-use plastic and disposable items.
The University recognises the critical importance of water as a vital resource and is dedicated to implementing effective water management. The Water Management Policy is designed to promote conservation, enhance the efficient use of water, and ensure quality water supply on campus. The University aims to prioritise water-saving, minimise waste, and foster a culture of responsibility toward this essential resource. The University affirms its commitment to sustainable water practices, ensuring the responsible use and protection of water resources for future generations.
In alignment with both national and Macao SAR government initiatives aimed at achieving ‘dual carbon’ goals, the University is dedicated to promoting sustainable energy practices. The University’s Energy Management Policy provides a framework for enhancing energy efficiency and tracking consumption across campus operations. By integrating renewable energy facilities and clean energy sources, as well as adopting energy-saving practices, the University not only fosters a culture of sustainability among students and staff, but also mitigates climate change, contributing to a greener future.
Pedestrian Priority on Campus
The University prioritises pedestrian access on campus. There are pedestrian sidewalks with sufficient space and width for providing users a safe and comfortable environment. Pedestrian zones are designed to connect main buildings on campus. Visitors can reach all locations within the campus by walking.
New Build Standards
Environmental sustainability is embedded in all university activities, including construction and refurbishment projects. Such projects shall meet the national sustainable standards set by the China Green Building Council where possible, and comply with the legal requirements on construction waste disposal (Administrative Regulations No. 22/2020) set by the Macao government. All standards must be explicitly written in the tender notice and contracts to guarantee contractors’ compliance.
New Build on Brownfield Sites
Brownfield sites shall be prioritised where possible for new build campus development. Taking the University’s latest new building as an example, this building is currently being constructed on a brownfield site at the Macao campus. The new building will be equipped with solar panels to support the supply of electricity for use in the building and energy-efficient infrastructure to reduce overall energy consumption and carbon emission, achieving the targets of environmental sustainability.
INVESTMENT POLICY
The university is committed to environmental sustainability and will take the following actions with regards to its investment portfolio:
The university implements the following guidelines for accepting donations and external funding:
Latest update : 04 November 2025