On 10^th January, 2025, Moon Chun Memorial College, University of Macau was delighted to invite Captain Jeffrey Lam of Air Macau to share his career path, attracting about thirty students.

Captain Lam recalled in 1999, after many twists and turns, he finally joined Air Macau as a flight attendant: a job envied by many. During his work, he noticed that almost all pilots in the cockpit were foreigners, which ignited his dream of one day bringing glory to the Chinese people by flying planes and taking compatriots around the world. After much consideration, he courageously stepped out of his comfort zone, resigned from his job, and went to Australia to study aviation. At that time, flight attendants’ salaries in Macao were considered high, and Captain Lam had accumulated experience and resources for two years. However, he gave up his high-paying job to pursue his dream. After several years of hard studying, he successfully obtained a local pilot’s license and returned to Macao to become the first generation of “Chinese Captains”.

Captain Lam’s career story is an example of dreaming, pursuing, and realizing dreams, which greatly inspired the students. When asked by a student how to face setbacks in life, he replied,

“While you are young, try more and don’t be afraid of setbacks. Even if you fail, don’t be discouraged, because today’s failure does not mean tomorrow’s failure. Today’s failure is tomorrow’s success because you have learned from failure.“

Captain Lam encouraged young people to dream big, saying that in the future, they could not only learn to fly planes but also rockets and spaceships, reaching even greater heights.

Finally, participants wrote their dreams on a piece of paper, folded it into a paper airplane symbolizing “dreams,” and, led by MCM College Master, Prof. Kwok-cheung Cheung and Captain Lam, everyone launched their dreams together, making wishes for the new year!

“Listening to Captain Lam’s career story filled my heart with respect. He faced numerous difficulties, yet remained unyielding, writing his path to success with perseverance and courage. This is not just a history of personal struggle, but also a source of inspiration for us to bravely pursue our dreams. In the days to come, I will carry this spirit, fearlessly facing challenges and moving forward with determination.” – Su Xiao (FST – Applied Physics and Chemistry)

“What impressed me the most was Captain Lam sharing his experience of the turning point in his career from being a flight attendant to becoming a captain. His ability to give up a well-paying job to pursue his dream of becoming a captain is particularly admirable. We should all learn from Captain Lam’s spirit of facing difficulties head-on and forging ahead. Instead of waiting for opportunities to come, we should create opportunities for ourselves.” – Beyeh Wei (FAH – Janpanese)

“Captain Lam’s sharing is like a beacon, illuminating the path ahead in my heart. I have come to understand the hardships and challenges of pursuing dreams, and the flight of paper airplanes has given me endless courage and hope. In the future, I will turn this realization into practical action. No matter what difficulties I encounter, I will never retreat. With dreams in my heart, I will move forward against the wind until I reach my own brilliant starry sky.” – Zanker Liu (FSS – Sociology)

“As a flight cadet, I am delighted to have heard Captain Lam’s wonderful sharing this time. From a marketing major graduate to an airline flight attendant, then to a pilot, and finally becoming a captain, Captain Lam’s story is inspiring. It also made me realize that on the journey to achieving dreams and pursuing career ideals, the most important thing is perseverance, and how precious it is to always maintain a beginner’s mind.”  – Pauline Pan (FAH – Portuguese Language and Intercultural Studies)

On 12 January, 2025, University of Macau Moon Chun Memorial College was alive with its signature music program as a spectacular Open day brought together an array of talented performers at the MCM College “Music Voyage” concert, captivating a diverse audience. This mini concert featured the College’s a cappella group “Macalla”, a string quartet, piano duets, saxophone and piano duet, a K-pop dance, and MCMC band IScream, creating an unforgettable time.

The event was a resounding success, drawing audience from a vibrant background and fostering a sense of community through the universal language of music. Attendees left with smiles and memories, eagerly anticipating future performances.

Open Day provides a fantastic opportunity for the public to discover what it’s truly like to study at University of Macau (UM) and living in Residential Colleges (RC), while also enjoying an immersive experience exploring the campus—especially alongside those who know it best: the staff and students.

On Sunday, January 12, 2025, MCM College welcomed student delegations and representatives from Saint Joseph Diocesan College (The Fifth School) for a day of college life at Moon Chun Memorial College, University of Macau.

The full-day event began with a talk on UM’s Residential College (RC) education system by College Master Prof. Kwok-Cheung Cheung. This was followed by experiential learning workshops, including “Portuguese for Beginners,” led by Associate Master Dr. Manuel Noronha, and “Career Exploration,” conducted by Resident Fellow Miss Alice Hong. Shortly after, senior college students shared their experiences with various student groups, actively engaging in discussions.

At the end of the morning session, College Master Prof. Kwok-Cheung Cheung presented certificates of participation to the student delegations. This was followed by the “MCMC Music Voyage Concert”, led by Resident Fellow Dr. Peggy Lau and student groups, featuring a cappella performances, band performances, K-pop dance, and classical ensembles.

After lunch, the group visited several of UM’s facilities, including the State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City (SKL-IOTSC) and the ISCG Gaming Laboratory (Mock Casino), deepen their understanding on UM’s research advancement and the importance of responsible gaming.

On 8th January, 2025, Moon Chun Memorial College, University of Macau warmly welcomed a new cohort of exchange students from France, Italy, Russia and mainland China. College Master, Prof. Kwok-cheung Cheung, delivered a welcome speech and introduced the concepts of Residential College Education. The international students were then introduced to their “buddies”, who will provide a helping hand whenever necessary.

The “Buddy Programme” was launched in 2014 to enrich the exchange students’ learning experience at the UM, enabling students to quickly adapt and settle into their new surroundings. Additionally, the “Buddy Programme” helps local students into developing a deeper understanding of different cultures and traditions beyond Macao. As students mingled and engaged in conversations, they quickly forged new friendships. The academic team and student leaders also interacted with the exchange students to understand their needs and provide help voluntarily.

On December 19th, University of Macau Moon Chun Memorial College Dom Pedro V and St Paul’s House organized a cultural visit to Hong Kong, which included a letterpress workshop, a visit to the M+ Museum, and hiking at Victoria Peak. Students first arrived at the Guang Hua Printing Company, where they had the opportunity to learn about the history and evolution of letterpress printing. The company’s inheritor provided a detailed introduction to the origins of letterpress printing, as well as the various printing methods that have been used throughout history. Students were shown the tools required for the printing process and given an in-depth explanation of how the printing mechanism works. Through a hands-on demonstration, they were able to observe the entire printing process in action, which provided them with a more intuitive understanding of this traditional technique. Furthermore, students had the chance to create their own printed works, which was a unique and engaging experience.

Afterward, the students visited the M+ Museum, where an exhibition focused on the life and work of renowned architect I. M. Pei was held. The exhibition showcased many of his iconic and magnificent architectural creations, such as the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong and the Louvre Pyramid in Paris. It was a remarkable opportunity for students to explore the legacy of one of the world’s most celebrated architects.

In the evening, the group hiked up to Victoria Peak, where they all enjoyed the breathtaking views of the city skyline and a stunning sunset. This provided a perfect end to a day filled with enriching experiences and scenic beauty.

Overall, the event was educational, engaging, and provided students with a deeper appreciation for both traditional printing techniques and modern architecture. The hands-on experience at the printing company and the opportunity to view world-famous architectural works were particularly memorable. The visit to Victoria Peak also allowed students to appreciate the natural beauty of Hong Kong. This well-rounded trip combined history, art, and leisure in a meaningful way, and all the students look forward to similar educational excursions in the future.

Text: Tony Huang, Benson Lin

In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of the Macao SAR, MCM College Master, Prof. Kwok-chueng Cheung and Resident Fellow, Alice Hong of Moon Chun Memorial College, University of Macau, led a group of 12 students to Jiangxi for an experiential learning exchange trip from 22^nd to 28^th December, 2024.

On the 23rd, the group visited the renowned patriotic education site, Lushan, where they explored historical relics and the former residence of notable figures at Meilu Villa. They also toured Bailudong Academy, a cradle of ancient Chinese college culture, to learn about the spread of Neo-Confucianism and its significance in the development of ancient Chinese colleges. The following day, they visited Gaofeng Academy and the former residence of Northern Song poet, calligrapher, and writer Huang Tingjian, gaining insights into his life and contributions. The group also visited the Xiushui Autumn Harvest Uprising Memorial Hall to understand the background of the Autumn Harvest Uprising and the formation of the First Division of the First Army of the Workers’ and Peasants’ Revolutionary Army.

From the 25th to the 26th, the group engaged in a two-day experiential learning exchange at Aoyuan Middle School in Hesi Town, Xiushui County. The activities focused on the educational characteristics, geographical environment, and historical culture of Macao and Xiushui. The patriotic education team shared their experiences with diversified patriotic education at MCM College. Three student representatives performed the sign language song “March of the Volunteers”, and students from both schools sang “My Motherland and I”, expressing their affection for home country. The geography team introduced the unique geographical environment and climate of Macao through interactive games, while the history and culture team highlighted Macao’s historical origins and cultural exchange between the East and the West. They also taught simple Cantonese and Portuguese through demonstrations and group activities. The group also explored the local karst landforms, ancient architecture, religious beliefs, folk customs and cultural traditions through classes with local teachers and field trips to Dongling Stone Forest, Donghuzhai Scenic Area and Doushuai Temple, and further understood the geography, history and culture of Xiushui.

The exchange trip provided an in-depth exploration of Macao’s geography, history, and culture, showcasing the participants’ ability to integrate knowledge effectively. It not only fostered exchanges between teachers and students from Macao and Xiushui but also deepened the participants’ understanding of China’s geography, historical culture, party history, revolutionary history, and ancient college culture.

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