Dear colleagues and students,

The latest issue of e-version My UM (Mar issue) is available!

In March, we celebrate the arrival of spring and National Arbor Day. With verdant scenes appearing everywhere on the UM campus, in this Feature Stories article, we invite you on a stroll around the green campus to learn the stories behind the lush landscapes. We also explore the relationship between humans and nature through a General Education course on climate change and unravel the mysteries of medicinal plants and herbs with a UM scholar. Overall, we discover how the university’s different ‘shades of green’ colour nature, the classroom, and research (Click here for the article).

Cancer strikes fear into the hearts of many, and so does venom. Yet, when these two formidable forces collide, unexpected chemistry may occur. Professor Henry Kwok Hang Fai, head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences in the Faculty of Health Sciences at UM, is a pioneering scholar who embodies the principle of ‘fighting fire with fire’—or in this case, ‘combating cancer with animal venom’. In this People’s Stories article, we delve into Prof Kwok’s scientific journey, and explore how he has turned venom, a seemingly deadly weapon, into a potential key to unlocking revolutionary medical treatments (Click here for the article).

Lydia Ieong Weng Hong, also known by many children and parents as ‘Mama Pig’, is an alumna of the Faculty of Education at UM. In this People’s Stories article, Lydia shares how, as a mother, teacher, and writer, she nurtures young minds with love and enriches childhoods with creative stories. By seeing the world through children’s eyes, she hopes to take readers on a journey that goes beyond traditional storytelling. Lydia’s creative journey is not only an exploration of Macao’s children’s literature, but also a profound quest to inspire children and unlock their inner strength (Click here for the article).

Thank you for your support!

Best regards,
Communications Office　

Dear colleagues and students,

The latest issue of e-version My UM (Feb issue) is available!

Who says Cupid only exists in mythology? At UM, love stories blossom when students are struck by Cupid’s arrows. As the saying goes, ‘love makes the world go round’, and some students find the one to share every moment of university life with as they pursue academic excellence together. In this Feature Stories article, we delve into the real-life stories of three UM student couples, whose love began at the university. Their stories show that love is not just chemistry, but also involves shared dreams and visions. Are you ready to be swept away by the love in the air this romantic February? (Click here for the article)

In the world of economics, there stands an extraordinary scholar who, despite being in his eighties, remains vibrant and passionate. He is Prof Lawrence Juen-yee Lau—an internationally renowned economist, former vice chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and recipient of an honorary doctorate from UM. Prof Lau was awarded a Doctor of Education honoris causa by UM in 2020 and was invited to deliver a talk at the university in early 2025. In this People’s Stories article, we captured the wisdom of this eminent UM member in a 45-minute interview just before he took the stage for his talk (Click here for the article)

A compelling play is the result of seamless collaboration between the creative minds behind the scenes and the talented performers on stage. The original play Message produced by UM students won two awards at the 2024 Golden Hedgehog College Theater Festival, a prestigious theatre festival for university students in China. This remarkable achievement demonstrates the dedication and excellence of the UMSU Drama Society. In this People’s Stories article, former and current presidents of the Drama Society, Casta Lai Chit and Bernus Lau Weng U, share their theatrical endeavours and discuss their aspirations to nurture new talent in drama and uphold the mission of the Drama Society. (Click here for the article).

Thank you for your support!

Best regards,
Communications Office　

Dear colleagues and students,

The latest issue of e-version My UM (Jan issue) is available!

As the festive season of Chinese New Year approaches, the UM campus comes alive with vibrant decorations—red couplets, gold-embossed spring festival banners, and colourful paintings. Faculty and students are bustling with preparations to bid farewell to the Year of the Dragon. Among them are many non-local faculty members who hold a deep appreciation of Chinese culture. In this Feature Stories article, we interviewed three professors from abroad to ask how they see Macao and UM as their second home. They also share their experiences celebrating Chinese New Year and discuss their plans for the Year of the Snake (Click here for the article).

We also feature an interview with Prof Stanley Hui Sai Chuen, college master of Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College, in this People’s Stories article. As a Tai Chi enthusiast, Prof Hui often teaches students to find harmony in their academic and personal lives through the principle of balancing strength and flexibility in Tai Chi. Prof Hui’s transformative journey began in his youth, marked by a boundless energy that propelled him to the Hong Kong gymnastics team. Subsequent academic endeavours abroad made him a prominent figure in education and research. With a teaching career spanning nearly four decades, Prof Hui has nurtured many students and continues to serve as a beacon of inspiration for the younger generation (Click here for the article).

Transforming from a student to a young entrepreneur is no easy feat. In another People Stories article, we spotlight UM alumnus Timothy Cen Bangjie, whose innovative air disinfection machine has made him one of the outstanding young entrepreneurs in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area within just two years of graduation. His company, Zidian Technology Co Ltd, has even been recognised by the Macao SAR Government as a ‘promising technology enterprise.’ What drives Timothy to contribute to public health through technological innovation? Let’s check it out (Click here for the article).

Thank you for your support!

Best regards,
Communications Office　

Dear colleagues and students,

The latest issue of e-version My UM (Dec issue) is available!

In 1999, Macao returned to its motherland China, marking a pivotal moment that brought transformative changes to the city and unprecedented development opportunities for its people. UM was no exception; it was poised to embark on a new historical era. In this Feature Stories article, five UM members who have been with the university since 1999 share their stories and experiences that highlight the transformations of both UM and Macao SAR (Click here for the article).

A three-centimetre-long electronic insect scuttles across a dark, maze-like disaster simulation area, carrying out instructions to aid in rescue operations with flexible and agile movements. This is a demonstration conducted by Prof Zhong Junwen. The electronic insect is one of the flexible robots Prof Zhong developed in the Soft Sensors-Actuators-Robots Laboratory at UM. In this People’s Stories article, this young up-and-coming scholar shares how he advances research in flexible smart materials to equip robots with the ability to transmit tactile sensations (Click here for the article).

A charismatic show host, an articulate debater, and a competent translator—these roles may not be typically associated with a young woman in her early twenties. Yet, Queenie Chan Sio Kuan, a fourth-year student majoring in Portuguese studies at UM, excels in all these roles. Embodying the wisdom of the Chinese proverb, ‘One minute of glory on stage requires ten years of hard work off stage,’ Queenie finds deep fulfilment in her journey learning Portuguese. She shares how she has developed a diverse set of skills in the world of the Portuguese language in this People’s Stories article. (Click here for the article).

Thank you for your support!

Best regards,
Communications Office　

Dear colleagues and students,

The latest issue of e-version My UM (Nov issue) is available!

In the classrooms, study halls, and laboratories of UM, faculty and students are constantly engaged in research, exploring cutting-edge scientific questions. Their research work tests not only their knowledge and practical skills, but also their willpower. In this Feature Stories article, these individuals share what motivates their devotion to research at UM, and the triumphs and challenges of their research journeys (Click here for the article).

UM’s residential colleges have emerged in recent years as a breeding ground for many entrepreneurial teams. The success of these teams is not only the result of students’ hard work, but is also attributed to the invaluable guidance and support provided by their mentors at the university. In this People’s Stories article, we interviewed Tang Yu Ming, a resident fellow at Cheng Yu Tung College (CYTC). Since joining UM ten years ago, Dr Tang has played a pivotal role in helping CYTC students launch their businesses. He shares his insights into how he supports students on their entrepreneurship journeys (Click here for the article).

Another People’s Stories article features UM alumna Emily Chan. After graduating from UM. Emily ventured into the Beijing film industry, and later returned to Macao and Hong Kong to continue her work in film and television. Over the past decade, Emily has directed three feature films: Timing, Our Seventeen, and Madalena. Starting as a young girl with aspirations of becoming a filmmaker, Emily has transformed into a rising director. ‘My filmmaking journey began with learning the art of storytelling in UM’s Department of Communication,’ she says. (Click here for the article).

Thank you for your support!

Best regards,
Communications Office　

Dear colleagues and students,

The latest issue of e-version My UM (Oct issue) is available!

On 1 October, the National Day of China, the UM National Flag Team held a solemn flag-raising ceremony. They escorted the national flag of China, the regional flag of the Macao SAR, and the UM flag in perfect unison, their strides echoing powerfully as they made their way towards the flagpole on the campus. As the team captain commanded, ‘Salute to the national flag’, the three flags were raised slowly. Faculty and students watched with deep respect. This flag-raising ceremony is just one of the ways UM students express their patriotism. In this Feature Stories article, we explore how UM members express patriotism through art, writing, videos, and tour guiding (Click here for the article).

Since the establishment of the Macao SAR, the UM Library has seen remarkable growth in its collection of rare ancient books. The library’s repository has grown from an unnoticeable cabinet in a small room to an expansive and dedicated space. Some items in the collection are even classified as ‘national treasures’. We explore in this Feature Stories article the value of rare ancient books in contemporary times, and how scholars leverage the university’s collection for research (Click here for the article).

In People’s Stories, we interviewed UM alumnus Samuel Zeng. After graduating from UM, Samuel, with expertise in natural language processing and machine translation technologies, ventured into the e-commerce market. He quickly made his mark and was named one of the ‘35 Innovators Under 35 for China’ by MIT Technology Review in 2017. With a bold vision and an adventurous spirit, this UM alumnus left his position at Ant Group in 2023, undeterred by the unstable global economic climate, and founded the AI start-up AutoArk (Click here for the article).

Thank you for your support!

Best regards,
Communications Office　

Dear colleagues and students,

The latest issue of e-version My UM (Sep issue) is available!

In recent years, UM has emerged as a breeding ground for numerous successful start-ups. This article in Feature Stories explores how UM supports entrepreneurial teams in transforming their creative ideas into sustainable businesses. The university is dedicated to helping them grow from ‘landlubbers’ into ‘competent swimmers’, so that they can navigate the competitive market with confidence (Click here for the article).

More than just a physical space, the UM campus is a dynamic canvas that reflects the vibrant lives, meaningful interactions, and rich experiences of its members. We will explore in this Feature Stories article how designs across the campus encapsulate the memories and legacies of UM alumni that resonate with the university community (Click here for the article).

In People’s Stories, we interviewed the twins Cheong Hio Iao (Yoyo) and Cheong Hio I (Chloe). When Yoyo and Chloe perform in classical Chinese dance costumes on stage, their synchronised and gentle movements mirror each other perfectly that makes it nearly impossible to tell them apart. However, when they dress in casual clothes and walk on campus together, their resemblance is not as noticeable. The twins humorously note that it was only after starting their studies at UM that they began to look alike yet paradoxically also became more distinct (Click here for the article).

Thank you for your support!

Best regards,
Communications Office　

Dear colleagues and students,

The latest issue of e-version My UM (Aug issue) is available!

The new academic year has started! For first-year students, their primary focus is to adjust to the new pace of learning at university. This article in Feature Stories provides five essential tips to prepare new UM students for university life, familiarise them with the academic resources and support provided by the university, and enable them to make effective plans for their future development (Click here for the article).

The Summer Olympics in Paris has ignited a sports craze. Boasting a vibrant sports culture, UM is no exception. The university’s faculty, students, and staff often engage in physical activities on campus. We will explore how UM cultivates a healthy sports culture and fosters the spirit of sportsmanship among its community in this Feature Stories article (Click here for the article).

In People’s Stories, we interviewed Wong Fai, associate professor in the Department of Computer and Information Science. Recognised as a pioneer of machine translation in Macao, Prof Wong’s dedication to innovative teaching earned him the UM Teaching Excellence Award earlier this year. In this article, Prof Wong shares how he guides students to develop creative AI tools and works to expand their career prospects (Click here for the article).

Thank you for your support!

Best regards,
Communications Office