On the morning of May 21st, the ” Empowering students’ unlimited possibilities ” Shanghai-Macao College Education Forum was held at the Student Development meeting room of East China Normal University Minhang Campus. Organized by the East China Normal University Graduate Affairs Office of the CPC and Guanghua College, co-organized by Moon Chun Memorial College of University of Macau,  attendees included Kwok-Cheung CHEUNG, College Master of Moon Chun Memorial College (MCMC) of the University of Macau; Pui Kei LAU, Resident Fellow of MCMC;  Jie HUANG, Vice Director of the Fudan University CPC Graduate Affairs Office; Yajing FANG, Vice Director of the CPC Student Affairs and Research Department, and the CPC Vice Secretary of the College of New Students of Tongji University; Li GU, Secretary of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University CPC Student Life Committee; Meiwen LIU, Director of Meiwen Studio of the Shanghai Education Press; Jian ZHAO, Director of the ECNU Graduate Affairs Office of the CPC; Xiangmin ZHENG, College Master of ECNU Guanghua College; Weiguo PANG, College Master of ECNU of Daxia College; Hongliang LIANG, Vice Secretary of the CPC  of ECNU Meng Xianchen College;  Liyu WANG, Vice Master of ECNU Daxia College; Yushan XIE, Vice Master of ECNU Guanghua College, and representatives of teachers and students from various colleges. This forum was hosted by Yanhong YANG, Vice Director of the ECNU Graduate Affairs Office of the CPC.

In his opening speech, Xiangmin ZHENG warmly welcomed the staff and students from the University of Macau, and other universities in Shanghai. He stated that the college system can integrate across boundaries and cultivate students’ moral character and well-rounded qualities, playing a crucial role in facilitating students’ free and comprehensive development. He further expressed that the continued expansion of more extensive, close and sustained collaborative education practices between Shanghai and Macau, as well as the shared goal of promoting talent development through college construction, is the common aspiration of all. He hoped this forum would serve as an opportunity to further solidify the mechanism for college cooperation and exchange between the schools and address the question of high-quality talent cultivation in the context of building a strong education system.

This trip to Shanghai not only involved the mutual exchange of ideas on the cultivation of high-quality talent in colleges, but also served as a platform to strengthen the cooperation between colleges of University of Macau and East China Normal University. In the presence of conference attendees from both regions, the UM Moon Chun Memorial College and the ECNU Guanghua College signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), marking the beginning of a new chapter of collaboration between the two colleges in areas such as resource sharing and talent cultivation. Together, they will work to enhance the cultivation of high-quality talent.

The keynote speech was given by Kwok-Cheung CHEUNG on “UM education model and Residential College System”. He introduced the University’s comprehensive community-based educational platform that embodies the University’s 4-in-1 education model and student-centered philosophy of whole-person education, practicing through activity learning, communal meal participation, academic support, college courses and pastoral care, to enhance students competencies in  Responsible Citizenship, Global competitiveness, Knowledge integration, Teamwork and collaboration, Service and leadership, Cultural engagement and Healthy lifestyle. Using MCM College as an example, he also shared with staff and students in attendance the creative activities organized by the college to enhance students’ sense of civic responsibility.

The subsequent presentations were delivered by representatives from Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tongji University, the University of Macau, and East China Normal University.

Presentation by Jie HUANG

Presentation by Li GU

Presentation by Yajing FANG

Presentation by Pui Kei LAU

Presentation by Weiguo PANG

Presentation by Hongliang LIANG

Presentation by Yushan XIE

As a final wrap up, Meiwen LIU was invited to share her insights. First, she believes the modern education system should be positioned to inherit tradition, integrate Chinese and Western philosophies, and face the future. It should leverage its comprehensiveness and whole-person educational goals to empower students’ infinite potential. Secondly, Liu outlined “two goals” for education – it should not only be oriented towards “cultivating talents”, but also the “making of people”, ultimately returning to the essence of education.

Thirdly, Liu highlighted the importance of the “three groups” – students, student affairs departments, and mentors. She emphasized the need to attend to students’ physical and mental development, strengthen the student affairs team, and improve the mentor system to support the college educational model.

After all presentations, the students from various universities also engaged in free discussions during the sub-forums, focusing on topics such as student leadership, student organization operations, and college activity planning.

In summary, MCM College strives to cultivate high-caliber talents through an array of innovative and distinctive activities. The institution’s guiding principle of “Truthfulness, Goodness, and Beauty” is intended to foster students’ personal development and help them reach their full potential – to grow and glow.