Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College of UM Signs MOU with Lee Woo Sing College of CUHK

Joint Choir Performance to Promote Cultural Exchange

On 28^th March, a delegation from the Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College (HFPJC) at the University of Macau (UM) visited the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Lee Woo Sing College (WS) of CUHK. This partnership aims to strengthen academic and cultural exchanges between the two institutions. That evening, a joint concert entitled “Boundless Horizons” took place at the Lee Hysan Concert Hall of CUHK, featuring performances by the Fok’s Singers of HFPJC, the Woo Sing Choir of WS College, and the choir from Diligentia College at CUHK (Shenzhen). The collaboration showcased music as a means of fostering GHM cross-regional cultural exchange.

During the signing ceremony, the College Masters of HFPJC and WS College formally signed the memorandum, initiating closer cooperation in student exchanges, academic collaboration, and cultural activities. Both colleges aspire to enhance students’ global perspectives and cross-cultural communication skills through diverse interactions.

Following the ceremony, the choirs delivered a captivating musical performance that blended traditional and modern styles, highlighting the rich tapestry of various cultures. The harmonious voices of the Fok’s Singers, the professional renditions by the WS Choir, and the dynamic performances of the Diligentia College Choir garnered enthusiastic applause from the audience. This event promoted artistic exchange and strengthened friendships among students from the three colleges.

The following day, the UM delegation, guided by CUHK representatives, toured the campus to gain insights into CUHK’s teaching facilities and college culture. They also engaged in urban exploration, visiting key cultural landmarks in Hong Kong to experience the city’s historical and contemporary landscape. This journey broadened the horizons of the Macau students and further advanced higher education cooperation between Macau and Hong Kong.

Both HFPJC and WS College are committed to ensuring that the signing of this memorandum and the associated exchange activities are just the beginning. They aim to develop additional collaborative projects in the future, providing students with enriched learning and growth opportunities.

Five Colleges Gather at the University of Macau to Celebrate the 15th Anniversary of

Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College

Recently, Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College of the University of Macau hosted a College fellowship event, inviting members from Lee Woo Sing College of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Diligentia College of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Xiuzhong College of Tsinghua University, and Nanyang College of Xi’an Jiaotong University to join the Greater Bay Area Study Camp. This event marked the beginning of the celebrations for the 15th anniversary of Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College.

At the opening ceremony, Professor Stanley Sai-chuen Hui, the Master of Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College, warmly welcomed the visiting guests, expressing hopes for deeper exchanges and cooperation among the five Colleges in the future. A brief yet solemn signing ceremony of an educational cooperation memorandum was held between Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College and Nanyang College, officially establishing them as sister colleges. Following this, Xiuzhong College presented awards and certificates to Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College students for their participation in the “Yuxiu Collection” photography competition, which was co-organized by both Colleges. At the student symposium, participants shared experiences and insights, discussing the pivotal role of student organizations in promoting college development, thereby igniting innovative thinking and leadership.

This study camp arranged a series of visits in the Greater Bay Area. The members of five Colleges visited the Golf Museum in Shenzhen, Hengqin Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone planning exhibition hall to understand its development prospects, and Yuxin Technology Hengqin Branch and Serensia Woods Health and Wellness Resort to learn about innovations in financial technology and wellness hotel development concepts. These visits provided a more intuitive understanding of the economic development and regional planning of the Greater Bay Area. Furthermore, the participants explored the UNESCO World Heritage historical districts of Macau, inspected the environmental projects of Sands China integrated resort, learned about the revitalization projects in Taipa and Coloane, and observed the natural ecology along the Coastal Trail. This not only allowed them to appreciate Macau’s historical culture and unique charm but also enhanced their understanding of environmental protection and sustainable development.

Moreover, a variety of cultural and sports activities further facilitated interaction among students and strengthened the friendship between the Colleges. They participated in a New Year celebration variety show organized by Diligentia College, experienced golf practice, competed in a kin-ball match, and engaged in a traditional lion and dragon dance workshop, which is part of Macau’s intangible cultural heritage. To deepen their understanding of Macau’s historical and cultural background, Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College invited Professor Shao Chaoyang from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of UM to give a lecture entitled “Macau is Not Just a City”. This lecture allowed students to grasp Macau’s inclusive characteristics from the perspectives of its historical evolution and cultural heritage, while also highlighting that “One Country, Two Systems” is the best institutional arrangement for maintaining long-term prosperity and stability in Macau. 

All the guests gathered at the high table dinner celebrating the 15th anniversary of Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College, commemorating the remarkable journey of the College over the past fifteen years. During the dinner, Professor Song Yonghua, Rector of the University of Macau, delivered an impassioned speech, reflecting on the glorious history since the establishment of the College. He praised the college’s achievements in cultivating students’ leadership, global competitiveness, and responsible citizenship, encouraging the continued strengthening of exchanges and cooperation with colleges internationally. One of the highlights of the dinner was a choral performance of the piece “Why We Sing” by the Fok’s Singers, along with students from Lee Woo Sing College and Diligentia College, whose melodious rhythms and captivating performance elevated the atmosphere of the event.

This fellowship event not only provided invaluable learning and exchange opportunities for the students, but also laid a solid foundation for deeper collaboration among the Colleges in the areas of innovative practice, cultural education, and sustainable development within the college system. Li Tianliang, a student from Xiuzhong College of Tsinghua University, remarked that the event allowed him to experience open and inclusive culture in Macau while witnessing the city’s efforts and achievements in sustainable development as an international tourism destination. Yang Dongran, a student from Nanyang College of Xi’an Jiaotong University, expressed that he was greatly inspired by the exchange activities, gaining new insights on how to effectively organize events, enhance participation, and strengthen teamwork.

Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College of UM and Nanyang College of Xi’an Jiaotong University Established a Sister-College Relationship

On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College, University of Macau, a delegation from Nanyang College, Xi’an Jiaotong University, led by Deputy Director Ms. Gu Rong, visited the University of Macau from 12-16 January 2025. Prof. Stanley Sai-chuen Hui, the Mater of Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College, along with the College members, warmly welcomed the Nanyang delegation and signed a memorandum of educational collaboration to establish a sister-college relationship. The two Colleges plan to explore the reform and development of the residential college system in the future, and carry out exchanges in the areas of academic exchanges, cultural activities, practical innovation, and resource sharing. This exchange marks a new milestone in the friendship and collaboration between the two Colleges.

Together with the students from Xiuzhong College of Tsinghua University, Lee Woo Sing College of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Diligentia College of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), and Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College, the students from Nanyang College participated in rich and diverse exchange activities, including visiting the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, attending lecture on Macau’s historical culture, exploring the UNESCO World Heritage historical districts, inspecting environmental projects at resort hotels, understanding revitalization efforts in the old districts, observing natural ecological environments along the coastal trail, experiencing the intangible cultural heritage of dragon and lion dances, and participating in the 15th Anniversary High Table Dinner of Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College. These activities not only provided valuable learning and exchange opportunities for the students from the five Colleges, but also marked the beginning of the 15th anniversary celebration of Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College.

Nanyang College was established in 2008, named after the “Nanyang Public School”, the predecessor of Xi’an Jiaotong University. The College has over 3,000 undergraduate students from the School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Microelectronics, and Life Sciences. Upholding the spirit of “promoting education and strengthening the nation, passing on the torch,” the College creates a community atmosphere of “home, people, and love,” dedicated to cultivating students’ firm ideals and beliefs, strong social responsibility, broad international vision, exceptional leadership skills, and noble character. Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College is one of the oldest residential colleges at the University of Macau. It is committed to developing an experiential education approach to integrate learning, practice, and service into the College activities, and cultivate students’ innovative thinking and seven competencies through experiential learning. The establishment of a sister-college relationship between Nanyang College and Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College will further promote in-depth exchanges and collaboration between the two Colleges, and the development and innovation of the residential college system.

UM and Fudan Students Collaborate to Advance Rural Revitalization and Educational Empowerment

To deepen the exchange and collaboration between universities in Shanghai and Macau, to enable students to gain a deeper understanding of China’s rural educational resources, and to enhance cultural awareness of Chinese agrarian civilization, 17 Resident Fellows (RF) and students from Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College (HFPJC) and  Cheong Kun Lun College (CKLC) of University of Macau (UM) traveled over a thousand miles to engage in a meaningful summer service-learning activity with Fudan University. This event took place in Jiangcun, China, which is known as a “window for the world to understand China’s rural areas, from July 8 to 19, 2024.” The activity was led by RF Chang Kit Peng from HFPJC and Fang Shimin from CKLC.

UM students first participated in a three-day intensive training at Fudan University, where they learned about the crucial role of education in rural revitalization and studied interdisciplinary problem-based learning. They mastered core concepts and research methods of educational empowerment, laying a solid foundation for rendering subsequent practical activities. This service learning experience not only included comprehensive theoretical background knowledge but also featured an in-depth cultural exploration in Jiangcun, Jiangsu, China. The aim was to inject new insight and vitality into rural education and the development of future rural builders.

During the exploration in Jiangcun, UM, Fudan, and Jiangcun Experimental School’s teachers and students were divided into five groups: “The Story of Fei Xiaotong and Jiangcun”, “The Evolution of Education in Jiangcun”, and three focus groups on “Exploring Jiangcun’s Ancient Bridges”. The groups engaged in various exploration activities in Jiangcun. The “Story of Fei Xiaotong and Jiangcun” group conducted interviews with residents, they visited the Fei Xiaotong Memorial Hall and reviewed historical materials to delve into the connection between Fei Xiaotong and Jiangcun. The “Evolution of Education in Jiangcun” group visited the village to find mysterious friends and closely interacted with residents to understand the educational development process and the differences between urban and rural education. The “Exploring Jiangcun’s Ancient Bridges” groups investigated historical sites and reviewed village records to explore the history and culture of Jiangcun’s ancient bridges. The group studying “Hong’en Bridge” created catchy rhymes, while the “Guangfu Bridge” group collected and organized patterns on the bridge, learning about its history and producing a brochure on ancient bridge conservation. The “Dongmiao Bridge” group created a physical bridge model, showcasing the harmonious blend of ancient charm and modern technology. These exploration activities not only enhanced the teachers’ and students’ understanding of Jiangcun’s history and culture but also promoted the excavation and preservation of local educational and cultural resources.

At the closing ceremony of the programme, each group showcased their research findings to residents and students’ parents in the Jiangcun Cultural Hall, receiving enthusiastic responses and bringing substantial cultural and educational outcomes to the community. Through the combination of theory and practice, teachers and students from both universities conducted in-depth discussions on important topics such as the relationship between rural revitalization and education, providing strong support for implementing the rural revitalization strategy.

Additionally, the teachers and students visited the Jiangcun Elderly Center, bringing joy to the elderly. During interactions, they discovered that the elders possessed unique skills, and the lively tunes of Wu songs (Yangcheng Fishery Songs), a form of intangible cultural heritage, captivated the teachers and students. Finally, UM students toured museums, historical sites, and modern architecture in Shanghai and Jiangsu. They gathered information and stories about the attractions in advance, acting as “tour guides” to provide detailed introductions to other members.

Through exploring their hometown with primary school students from Jiangcun Experimental School, conducting field surveys, and engaging in interactive exchanges, the college students not only deepened their understanding of Jiangcun’s unique culture and history but also gained a deeper appreciation for rural education through practical experience. They gained a comprehensive understanding of China’s development and cultural heritage from ancient times to the present, experienced the scenery of the water towns in Jiangsu, and forged deep friendships through a series of icebreaking, interactive, and discussion activities!

Text: Lin Yunyi, Ao U Ian

Photos: Liang Mingxuan etc