The voluntary teaching team from the Moon Chun Memorial College, University of Macau visited Shuangjing Primary School in Hangkou Town, Xiushui County in December, 2023. The team conducted a two-day voluntary teaching programme and also visited patriotic education attractions and ancient Chinese colleges in Jiangxi and Hunan. After six days of experiential learning, the team gained a lot, and held a sharing session with other college students on 17^th January 2024. Sessions included: voluntary teaching, patriotic education and ancient Chinese college. The first group carefully produced a three-minute video of voluntary teaching from preparation to practice. After visiting the Autumn Harvest Uprising Xiushui Memorial Hall and Shangshan Township Red Education Base, the second group was most impressed by the young soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country and showed great respect to them. The third group created an acrostic poem specifically focusing on Gaofeng Academy and Yuelu Academy, expressing their impressions of the two ancient colleges in the form of calligraphy. This unique experience has left unforgettable memories in the hearts of the participants.

Open Day offers a great opportunity for the public to discover what it is really like studying at MCM College, University of Macau, as well as having a  wonderful experience to explore the campus – especially accompanied with those who know it best: staff and students.

On Sunday, 14th January, 2024, the college welcomed student delegations and representatives from the following three local secondary schools: Kwong Tai Middle School Macau , Kao Yip Middle School and Lou Hau High School. The aim was for students to experience a day of college life at Moon Chun Memorial College, University of Macau.  

The full-day event began with a tour of the college, followed by experiential learning workshops such as “Portuguese for Beginners” ; “Music and Rhythm”; and “Career Interests Exploration” conducted by Dr. Manuel Noronha, Dr. Peggy Lau, and Miss Alice Hong respectively.  Shortly after, senior college students were invited to highlight their respective college experiences with the various student groups as they actively engaged in discussions. At the end of the morning session, College Associate Master, Dr. Noronha presented certificates of participation to the student delegations.

After lunch at College Hall, the group visited UM’s various facilities: Laboratory for Ocean Environmental Pollution Analysis and Assessment (FST), Currency Museum, Mock Casino and Café (FBA), Moot Court (FLL), and State Key Laboratory of Quality and Research in Chinese Medicine (SKL-QRCM).

Student leadership team at MCM College is oriented towards working as a collective central unit of residential college life. Student leaders (resident tutors, resident assistants and House Association) are recruited and trained to be core components for carrying out pastoral care, and are expected to contribute to its overall welfare. In short, they strive to accomplish diverse objectives of the college together.

On Sunday, 7^th January, 2024, College academic staff organised a full-day retreat for students at Vila de S. José, Coloane, with collaboration from Bosco Youth Service Network. According to trainer Wong Cheng Seng, understanding the different team roles and their contributions to success enables student leaders to forge effective collaboration within the team. Team-building and retreat are a great way for student leaders to step back and reevaluate their work. This allows them to continue with their respective roles with renewed energy and vigor and higher productivity.

During the retreat, RTs, RAs and House Association bonded in a relaxed environment whilst forming fresh input and ideas on college common goals. The challenging team-building activities were also a way for the college to highlight its strengths: allowing college staff an opportunity to learn more about student leaders’ potential leadership and see how it will fit into the team dynamics and constantly changing environment.

MCM College Master, Prof. Kwok-cheung Cheung and Resident Fellow, Alice Hong of Moon Chun Memorial College, University of Macau, led 10 students to Shuangjing Primary School in Hangkou Town, Xiushui County from 23^rd – 28^th December 2023. The two-day volunteer teaching programme is a result of complying with the Chinese Central Government’s policy, the Macau Special Administrative Region Government and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government’s partner assistance to the Revitalization of Rural Areas in Xiushui County, Jiangxi Province, and to implement the SAR government’s support for rural revitalization education in Jiangxi Province. The college also took this opportunity to carry out patriotic education and trace the origins of ancient Chinese colleges through various study trips.

At Shuangjing Primary School, the student group demonstrated three signature events of MCM College, including music and art, language and culture, and healthy living. The teaching targets covered 72 students from primary one to primary six. This volunteer teaching programme attracted 13 teachers from Hangkou Town Central Primary School and small teaching points in various villages to observe the classes. After class, the group received positive feedback from teachers who observed the class. On the last day of teaching, the group held a talent show with teachers and students of the school, and performed uplifting dance and song together. The performers were in high spirits and the atmosphere was warm.

Xiushui County in Jiangxi Province is a famous old revolutionary area and an important patriotic base area for our party and our army during the revolutionary war. The visit to the Autumn Harvest Uprising Memorial Hall gave the group an in-depth understanding of the background of the Autumn Harvest Uprising on the Hunan-Jiangxi border, the formation of the First Division of the First Army of the Workers’ and Peasants’ Revolutionary Army, and other historical facts. The former capital of the Hunan-Hubei-Jiangxi District is located in the northwest of Xiushui County, Shangshan Township. Through the visit to the patriotic education base in Shangshan Township, the group learned more about the history of the Chinese Party and the first local regime in the history of the Chinese revolution – Hunan, Hubei and Jiangxi Provincial Committee, Hunan, Hubei and Jiangxi Provincial Soviet Government.

The group visited two ancient Chinese colleges in Jiangxi and Hunan: Gaofeng Academy (now Shuangjing Primary School) and Yuelu Academy (now Hunan University). They also visited the Museum of Chinese Academies and learned about the thousand-year development history and educational characteristics of ancient college education, and recognized the rich and colorful ancient college culture. After visiting Huang Tingjian’s former residence, the group had a better understanding of the life and deeds of this poet, calligrapher and writer of the Northern Song Dynasty, and learned some good qualities from him.

In summary, the group demonstrated its dedication to rural revitalization education during the volunteer teaching and also enhanced its awareness and leadership in serving the society. This programme not only imparted experience and treasures for the educational development of Xiushui County, but also increased the group’s understanding of the history of the Chinese party and revolution, as well as the culture of ancient Chinese colleges.

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As the 24^th anniversary of Macao’s Handover to China is approaching, Student Group for Nurturing the Spirit of Loving our Country and Macao of Moon Chun Memorial College, University of Macau initiated to shoot a Music Video (MV) using sign language, signing “Joining Together as One Family” at the Mandarin’s House, a world cultural heritage site in Macau. The group used music and sign language as an emotional carrier, conveying the message that after Macao’s handover to China, it became one family with the motherland, and the family and the country rejoiced together.

​On 3^rd December 2023, the MV production crew arrived at the Mandarin’s House at 10 a.m., and specially selected the locations for filming at the Moon Gate, Sedan Way and Front Courtyard in accordance with the lyrics to ensure the best presentation of the artistic conception of the lyrics. This MV was produced under the guidance of Resident Fellow, Alice Hong, filmed and edited by Resident Tutor, Jennifer Lu. Sign language teaching is provided by sign language interpreters, Mr. Fong Weng Man and Ms. Li Jia Yi from the Macau Deaf Association.

Here, on behalf of MCM College, we would like to present the sign language song, “Joining Together As One Family” and wish Macao, the “Lotus Land”, prosperity!

“Joining Together As One Family” MV: https://vod.um.edu.mo/rc_mcmc/lotus.mp4

Sign Language: Be Strong

Sign Language: Growing Up

Sign Language: Look, expressing the lyric, looking up at the clear sky

Sign Language: Join, expressing the song title, “Joining Together”

Sign Language: Family, expressing the song title, “As One Family”

Sign Language: Blossoming

MV Production Crew Group Photo

Sign Language: Small

Sign Language Learning Workshop

On 22^nd November and 24^th November 2023, resident assistant of Mandarin House, Moon Chun Memorial College, University of Macau organised two sessions of patriotic theme murder mystery games, the storyline was based on the Second Sino-Japanese War. While exercising their mind and exploring and decrypting, the participants immersed themselves in the patriotic feelings of different characters.

Participants were very involved in the game, reading the script carefully and savoring the emotions of the characters. They immersed into the plot, matched the character’s identity, and told different stories. When the mystery was solved, students were still not satisfied, they discussed missing details and complete character storylines. This activity not only deepened participants’ patriotism feeling for the motherland, but also promoted communication and cooperation among participants.

Text: Sophia Wong

On 29^th November, 2023, Moon Chun Memorial College, University of Macau held an entrepreneurial mindset seminar titled ” A Macao Youth’s Entrepreneurial Journey in Beijing”.  This seminar was hosted by Mr. Otto Ieong, the CEO of 369 Co-op Town Limited., and Mr. Owen Chen, founder and CEO Macau Forone Culture Technology Co. Ltd., was invited to share with the students his three-year entrepreneurial journey in Beijing. Chen successfully founded a cultural communication company in Beijing. He once led a team to cooperate with Douyin to produce animated promotional videos for Tokyo Olympics and Beijing Olympic Winter Games, and was broadcast by television stations such as Beijing Satellite Television and interviewed by media such as Macau Asia Satellite Television.

​In the seminar, Chen emphasized that starting a business is not the same as buying a lottery ticket. You must first conduct market survey and figure out whether the products or services you provide can satisfy the needs of the society before taking actions to start a business. Once you start a business, you have to go all out and persevere when encountering difficulties. Participants listened attentively and asked questions from time to time, some participants asked how to find like-minded entrepreneurial partners and how to make choices among them. Chen responded that university is a good platform to meet friends with different interests and expertise. He encouraged everyone to make good use of this platform to expand their network and participate in various career development-related activities. This will give them more opportunities to meet potential entrepreneurial partners who share similar interests.

Chen’s experience sharing not only inspired the participants, but also demonstrated the college’s vision of cultivating students’ innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. MCM College will hold more similar events in the future to provide students with more practical resources and opportunities to help them realize their entrepreneurial dreams.

University of Macau Moon Chun Memorial College launched a Music Story Book Creation Project, with the aim to foster creativity, collaboration, and communication skills among students. Since August 2023, a dedicated team of 15 students, under the supervision of Resident Fellow Dr. Peggy Lau, has been actively engaged in creating three storybooks titled “The Musical Journey of Beethoven,” “Swan Lake,” and “The Present to Grandpa.” Each storybook focuses on different introductory musical elements.

The project brought together students with a passion for storytelling, illustration, and music. The team worked tirelessly to develop narratives, design illustrations, and craft stories that would resonate with readers aged 5 to 7 years old. Once the storybooks were completed, they were presented and read to Primary 1 and 2 classes at Pui Ching Middle School (Macau), with the support from College Senior Fellow Prof. Pou Seong SIT. This invaluable experience provided the group with a lot to learn and improve from.

This project aimed to inspire students to explore the worlds of music, literature, and art in a unique and interactive way. By combining the power of storytelling with musical knowledge, the Music Story Book Creation Project provided an opportunity for students to enhance their creative thinking, collaborate effectively as a team, and improve their communication skills.

Team members (in no particular order): Jenny Chan, Wylie Xiao, Kylie Pun, Vienne Chan, Beyeh Wei, Mimi Wong, Yvonne Ying, Healer, James Ho, Hazel Zhao, Sparkles Li, Jay Fang, Tong Cheong, Ho Chi Un.

Moon Chun Memorial College, University of Macau created a short film titled The Invisible Self, to draw public’s attention to mental health and foster discussions about this topic. On 29^th November 2023, MCM College resident fellow and film producer, Alice Hong, crew members and social worker, Yan Leong went to Colégio Mateus Ricci for the first stop of the school tour screening, targeting 600 Form 1 to Form 6 students. The Invisible Self is a film about self-acceptance, embracing both the positive and negative aspects of oneself, and establishing a connection with one’s inner self. Most of the main roles in this film and the behind-the-scenes staff are played by MCM College members, while the script was co-written by local director, Steven U and second-year college student, Celina Wang (Department of Portuguese). The inspiration of this short film originated from the Chinese poem White Night written by Prof. Yao Jingming in the Department of Portuguese.

In the post-screening session, the film’s producer, director, screenwriter, actor and social worker interacted with the audience and shared some issues about mental health, such as emotional suppression, stress symptoms and management, childhood shadow, which aroused the audience’s deep thinking.  The screening was well received by students and teachers of the school.

“From the film, I learned about self-acceptance and how to face setbacks in life, such as unsatisfactory results in exams or competitions, not to have self-doubt, just accept one’s own shortcomings.” – Kyle Ao (Form 2 student)

“This film reminded me that when I encounter some stressful events that I cannot solve on my own, I can seek help from social worker, teachers or people around me. Even if the problem cannot be completely solved, it can ease my emotions and make me feel better, allowing me to have a better position to face the next challenge.” – Eve Cheong (Form 3 Student)

“Each of us has different aspects, and we all have positive and negative emotions. In today’s life, most people tend to suppress their emotions and think that negative emotions are bad. Past experiences shaped who we are today, so we should learn to accept all aspects of ourselves.” – Bianca Lio (Pastoral Coordinator)

Moon Chun Memorial College, University of Macau held a cultural night on 25^th November 2023 at the Student Activity Centre Theatre, with the theme, “Performing in Between the Lines”.  This event showcased students’ talents, and enhanced communication through music and dance. The event attracted many college students and presented 10 wonderful performance including MCMC choir, ISCREAM band, dance interest groups, and some individual songs and dances selected by college students. Their performances fully demonstrated youthful vitality and presented a visual and auditory feast to the audience.  While listening to the music, the audience waved their fluorescent sticks to the beat and cheered for the performers. College academic staff and non-resident fellows and affiliates attended the event.

Text: Cynthia Jiang