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Friday, May 19, 2006
PLENTY OF BALLAST IN MACAU Mark Twain was once accosted by a woman half his age complaining of her poor health despite a life of denial and strict moral obedience. Twain, a smoker and drinker, was in perfect health at the time and simply said something like: " It is clear to me that you are a sinking ship with no ballast to throw overboard." Macau is far from sinking--landfill has seen to that--and more in need of ballast than any resort destination in the world.  Macau, as you all know, is one of my favorite places in China. It has it all: Food, that if you do not spontaneously combust or founder from overeating, rivals anywhere in Asia; Western Amenities; Oceanfront; lush parks and greenery; some of Asias most varied architecture; and peacefully coexisting and wonderfully large and diverse Chinese and International ethnic groups. That is why the two-hour trip there is an oft-do for me. The Macau government is, in addition to trying to promote tourism, attempting (after a long history of struggle) to balance a gaming industry that out-grosses Vegas with the needs of an historic island and it is doing a surprisingly good job. It has been criticized for its tolerance of prostitution and crime, but where there are tourists and lots of money.... Macau Universities and Schools, like its cousins in Hong Kong, are some of the best in Asia: The new kid on the block is Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST). It is the fastest growing University in Macau. This is as a result of great recruiting by its Sea Turtle Registrar, a tenured professor from the University of North Carolina system, who has drummed up a world-class faculty for its Law, Medicine, Tourism, IT, and International Business and Management Departments among others. One example: The Dean of the Law School is the past Vice-Dean of Harvard Law School. The Medical school, boasts modern diagnostic equipment, combines the best of Eastern and Western methodologies and has professors from the top schools in China. The campus, located near the new Venetian complex, is rapidly building on an already impressive foundation. The sports stadium was able to handle venues for the recent Asian Games and the field house, with ice rink and bowling alley, are pretty impressive. They have a championship Kung Fu/Wushu squad and keep adding extracurricular events. Unlike many schools in the Mainland MUST looks to provide a whole person approach to learning. Expats who study there for a summer language session will quickly see what I mean. The International school for expat children, also on campus, is expanding to meet the increasing needs of a growing expat community and the children of those employed in the explosive gaming trade. I had the chance to visit there recently and think it is one of Macau's many cultural ballast bags that will make Macau an International sensation while maintaining its multifacted identity. This is the first of a series of articles I will add from time to time on places near Guangzhou. Asia Blogging China Blogs China Blog Blogging Lonnie Hodge Humor Chinese South China Guangzhou Expats Expats Guangzhou Travel Guangzhou Macau Culture Guangzhou MUST China Schols Kung Fu Gambling Macau Universities Macau University of Science and Technology ONEMANBANDWIDTH: CHINA BLOG Blogger News Network is advertiser-supported, and your visits to our advertisers help BNN to meet its expenses. Help keep us afloat! posted by Lonnie at 12:56 AM |
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