To review the major achievements of the 2024/2025 academic year and to plan for the development of the new academic year, the Faculty of Education (FED) of the University of Macau held a full-day retreat for academic staff on 3 December 2025 at the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau. The event brought together all academic members of the Faculty, providing an important occasion for reflection, exchange, and collaborative planning to further enhance teaching, research, and external partnership efforts.

The retreat began with opening remarks delivered by Prof. Lianghuo FAN, Dean and Director of Centre for STEM and AI Education of FED. Dean Fan commended the collective achievements of the past year in teaching innovation, research productivity, community service, and international collaboration. He expressed sincere appreciation to all staff members for their dedication, and encouraged colleagues to continue advancing excellence in cross-disciplinary collaboration, talent development, and research output, strengthening the Faculty’s long-term international impact.

Following this, Prof. Mingming ZHOU, Associate Dean (Research and Graduate Studies) and Programme Coordinator of Master of Philosophy presented an overview of postgraduate and doctoral programme admissions. Prof. Zhou highlighted that competition for the 2025 intake had been particularly strong, with record-high applicant numbers and increasingly strong academic profiles. Next, Prof. Dongbo ZHANG, Associate Dean (Teaching and Curriculum Development) and Programme Coordinator of Doctor of Education reported on undergraduate admissions. Prof. Zhang noted steady growth in undergraduate applications and emphasized upcoming curriculum enhancements aimed at strengthening interdisciplinarity and alignment with trends in school education.

Prof. Keang Ieng VONG, Assistant Dean (School Engagements and External Relations) reviewed the Faculty’s collaborations with local schools and education organizations. Prof. Vong stressed ongoing efforts to expand teaching practice partnerships, joint research projects, and professional development initiatives. Afterwards, Prof. Shulin YU, Assistant Dean (Student Affairs) and Director of Centre for Language and Literacy Education updated on student support services and House Programme initiatives. Prof. Yu emphasized the continued enhancement of student support through diverse activities and community engagement.

The morning session concluded with an interactive Q&A between the Dean and staff members. The afternoon session continued with annual reports delivered by Directors of the various centres, each outlining the major achievements and developments of their respective units. Prof. Zhaowei KONG, Director of Centre for Arts and Physical Education presented the centre’s key accomplishments over the past year. Prof. Kong summarized the centre’s initiatives in arts and physical education, including programme development, student engagement, and collaborations with local schools and organizations. Following this, Prof. Nan ZHOU, Director of Centre for Educational Psychology and Early Childhood Education reported on the centre’s progress in research, community services, and professional training. Prof. Zhou highlighted the centre’s contributions in psychological assessment support, early childhood education outreach, and its involvement in evidence-based educational projects. 

Next, Prof. Shulin YU, Director of Centre for Language and Literacy Education outlined the centre’s major achievements in language and literacy education. Prof. Yu reviewed the centre’s teaching initiatives, language support programmes, community activities, and research advancements that strengthened literacy development across different age groups. Afterwards, Prof. Fu CHEN, Assistant Director of Centre for STEM and AI Education introduced the newly completed centre facilities. Prof. Chen presented the centre’s upgraded teaching and research spaces, AI education platforms, and demonstration classrooms, explaining how these resources will support future innovation in technology-enhanced teaching and interdisciplinary projects. Lastly, Prof. Xiufeng LIU, Director of Educational Testing and Assessment Research Centre delivered the centre’s annual report. Prof. Liu summarized the centre’s progress in assessment research, development of testing tools, collaboration with schools, and contributions to large-scale evaluation projects, while also outlining plans for further enhancement in assessment science. 

After the academic reports, each centre engaged in group discussions on the Faculty’s future development. The five centres raised expectations and suggestions regarding research support, cross-centre collaboration, resource allocation, talent development, and internationalization. Staff members proactively exchanged viewpoints, raised questions on research development, teaching arrangements and staff needs, and offered constructive recommendations for strategic planning, generating lively discussion and constructive dialogue. Dean Fan responded to each question and engaged in open and in-depth dialogue with colleagues. He emphasized the Faculty’s commitment to enhancing institutional support, improving administrative systems, and responding to the developmental needs of each centre, with the shared goal of strengthening FED’s long-term achievements in teaching and research.

This retreat provided an invaluable platform for communication, reflection, and collaboration among all members of the Faculty of Education. It not only enhanced internal cohesion but also laid a solid foundation for the Faculty’s strategic development in the years ahead.

Prof. Lianghuo FAN	Prof. Mingming ZHOU
Prof. Dongbo ZHANG	Prof. Keang Ieng VONG
Prof. Shulin YU	Prof. Zhaowei KONG
Prof. Nan ZHOU	Prof. Fu CHEN
Prof. Xiufeng LIU	Group Photo
Meeting in progress

Thank you for your kind attention.

Faculty of Education