On February 13, 2012, Archimandrite Kirill Govorun, first deputy head of the Russian Orthodox Church's education committee and pro-rector of Sts Cyril and Methodius Post-Graduate and Doctoral School, held talks with the rector of the University of St. Joseph in Macao, Prof. Ruben de Freitas Cabral, concerning cooperation between the School and the University. The parties agreed to sign a cooperation agreement and to initiate concrete forms of cooperation including exchange programs.
The University traces its history back to the College of St. Paul founded in 1594 in Macao by Alessandro Valignano. It became the first Western-type university to be founded in East Asia. At present the University functions with the assistance of the Catholic University of Portugal. The chancellor of the University in Macao is Cardinal-Patriarch of Lisbon, who is also chancellor of the Catholic University of Portugal. At present, the University of St. Joseph represents a multinational environment in which students are trained in a wide range of disciplines.
In addition to the talks with the leaders of the University, Archimandrite Kirill delivered a lecture for faculty and students on 'Sacred Space — A History of Eastern Christian Architecture'. The lecture was organized with the assistance of the University's Russian Center.