Chao Kuang Piu College hosted its second high table dinner for Academic Year 2024/2025.  The theme was “Voyage to the Stars”.  About 160 students, including some 60 graduating seniors, attended the event.

Coinciding with the 10th Space Day of China and the college’s own 10th anniversary, the event featured Ms. Wang Hongxia, founder and CEO of Beijing Aotian Technology, as the keynote speaker. She delivered a theme speech titled “Voyage to the Stars: Seizing Opportunities—The Rise of Commercial Aerospace Entrepreneurship.”

A graduate of the School of Astronautics at Beihang University and a national-level leading talent in scientific and technological innovation, Ms. Wang leads Aotian Technology in pioneering research and development of aerospace propulsion systems. The company established China’s first intelligent manufacturing production line for electric thrusters, supporting the construction of China’s satellite constellations.

In her speech, Ms. Wang highlighted the rapid growth of the global and Chinese commercial aerospace sectors. She shared her entrepreneurial motivations, experiences, and challenges.  She encouraged graduates to explore boldly, identify market trends, and embrace innovation and entrepreneurship with courage.

Other guests at the event included:

• Cheong Man Fai, Representative of the Macau Education and Youth Development Bureau
• Sio Hon Pan, Curator of the Macao Science Center
• Professor Zhang Xiaoping, Deputy Director of the Space Science Institute and State Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Science at the Macau University of Science and Technology

To mark the 10th Space Day of China and commemorate the 10th anniversary of Chao Kuang Piu College, all guests joined together in a cake-cutting ceremony.

During the event, the House Association transition ceremony was held.  CKPC also presented the Distinguished Student Leader Awards and the Outstanding College Service Awards (see the list above in the Chinese section).

After the performance by CKPC’s Stardust Choir, the event entered into the theme of the graduating class, including a speech by graduating class representative Catherine Kuok, and a group dance of the graduating class. After the party, the students lingered and posed for photos in their graduation gown and formal dresses.

Chao Kuang Piu College organized the “Zhejiang University • Hangzhou” exchange program in April 18–21, 2025.  The visit fostered in-depth interactions with outstanding students and alumni of Zhejiang University (ZJU) while immersing participants in Hangzhou’s cultural heritage and cutting-edge technological advancements.

Zhejiang University’s “Morningside Cultural China Scholars Program” (Cultural China) is dedicated to nurturing future leaders with global perspectives and a profound understanding of Chinese cultural values.  Since 2015, the program has collaborated with Chao Kuang Piu College on a series of exchange activities in Macao. This year’s exchange, held primarily at ZJU’s Zijingang Campus, featured entrepreneurship roadshows by Cultural China students and alumni, as well as joint brainstorming sessions between Cultural China and CKPC students.

The entrepreneurship roadshow focused on four AI application themes: wearable companion learning devices, AI partners with long-term memory capabilities, AI-powered research tools, and Block chain applications for certifying AI-generated creative contents.  CKPC College Master, Resident Fellow and students evaluated the projects across six dimensions: innovation/originality, value proposition, market potential, business model, execution plan, and team competency. Post-roadshow discussions allowed students to engage directly with project leaders, gaining insights into the entrepreneurial mindset, market acumen, technical expertise, and execution strategies of ZJU’s startup teams.

In the joint brainstorming sessions, students delved into five key topics:

• Lessons from Hangzhou’s “Six Tech Unicorns”
• Unique corporate cultures of China’s e-commerce giants
• Liangzhu Culture and China’s early civilization
• Cultural DNA of the National Archives of Publications and Culture
• Integrating AI technology into the “Cultural China” curriculum

The delegation also visited leading enterprises in Hangzhou:

• Alibaba Group Headquarters: Explored the operational model and corporate culture of China’s tech titan, analyzing its role in the digital economy. Interactions with senior HR executives highlighted Alibaba’s distinctive organizational ethos.
• Deep Robotics: Experienced cutting-edge innovations in robotics, including live demonstrations of quadruped robots, and discussed AI industry applications and challenges in embodied intelligence.
• Hangzhou City Brain Company: Studied smart city development through big data and AI applications. Students were particularly intrigued by platforms for equitable community services, observing how technology fosters “digital inclusivity” across social strata.

Cultural immersion activities included visits to Xixi Wetland, Zhejiang Provincial Museum, Hangzhou National Archives of Publications and Culture, and West Lake, enriching students’ appreciation of Hangzhou’s historical legacy.

This exchange program enhanced student’s competencies, including:

• Career Development: Exposure to corporate environments (from startups to conglomerates) helped students refine career goals and understand global trends impacting their professional futures.
• Innovation & Critical Thinking: Hands-on engagement in entrepreneurial activities strengthened problem-solving skills and the ability to bridge theory with practice.
• Cultural Engagement: Deepened understanding of Chinese heritage, fostering cultural pride and identity.

Through cross-institutional collaboration and interdisciplinary discussions, students honed teamwork, cross-cultural communication, and leadership skills, returning with broadened horizons and invaluable experiences.

On the first public exhibition day following the opening of the 2025 “National Security Education Exhibition,” over 30 members of Chao Kuang Piu College, University of Macau, including the College Master, resident fellows, staff, and student leaders, visited the event as part of the college’s leadership training program. Participants included current and incoming student assistants and House Association board of members, who gained an in-depth understanding of the 20 key areas of national security through display panels, videos, models, and interactive games.

Many students expressed that this was their first time attending a national security-themed exhibition. The exhibition vividly presented the multifaceted aspects of the holistic approach to national security, helping students recognize the close connection between national security systems and their personal lives. Notably, the exhibition kept pace with the times by showcasing China’s latest advancements in technological innovation, artificial intelligence, and other cutting-edge fields, allowing students to appreciate the interplay between technological progress and safeguarding national sovereignty and security.

During the joint meeting and discussion session between current and new student leaders, the college guided students in reflecting on the current international landscape of national security. Topics included how great-power competition—extending beyond trade and financial conflicts into areas such as culture, tourism, and education—could directly impact their future academic and career paths. At the same time, despite the complexities of great-power rivalry, China remains committed to openness and internationalization, with many enterprises expanding their global operations and collaborations into new domains.

While this era of profound transformation brings uncertainties, it also presents opportunities. Student leaders understood that beyond professional skills, soft skills such as cross-cultural communication and crisis management are equally crucial. They pledged to make the most of the college’s platform, continuously enhancing their competencies through a mentorship model where experienced leaders guide newcomers, thereby building a solid foundation for future challenges.

The college also arranged a year-end review and experience-sharing session between current and new student leaders. Upholding the spirit of “Passing the Torch” and “Service and Responsibility,” they committed to translating their insights into concrete actions to support fellow students and prepare for the upcoming academic year’s initiatives.

Chao Kuang Piu College (CKPC) completed the “Team Project Challenge”. This was part of CKPC’s Mentorship Program, in which year-1 students formed interdisciplinary groups of 4 to 6 people to work on topics related to Macau or contemporary interests. Under the guidance of faculty mentors, the groups searched for background materials, established research goals, developed plans, and completed the report.

The judges from faculties included: Professor Wang Di (FAH), Professor Sun Xuhua, and Professor Si Kao.  They were impressed with the student’s presentation and team work.

For this academic year, year-1 students from the six CKPC Planet Tribes formed 45 groups. They chose many interesting topics closely related to the Macau society and the young generation. From the 45 opening reports, six teams were selected as the finalists. Their topics are listed below. Among them, three teams were awarded scholarship during the finale on 19 March, 2025 (highlighted with asterisk below):

【Venus】Integrated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

【Jupiter】Research on the impact of self-media on contemporary college students *

【Mercury】Artificial intelligence applying on learning

【Mars】Consciousness in Fast Fashion: Perspectives of Students From the University of Macau *

【Saturn】The impact of social media on college students’ mental health *

【Earth】The impact of new media on college students’ understanding and inheritance of Chinese traditional culture

The purpose of this activity was to motivate students through teamwork and improve their academic research, cooperation, and presentation skills.

Note: CKPC students are divided into six Planet Tribes based on their block/floor areas.

Chao Kuang Piu College Down Syndrome Buddy Group (Buddy Group) paid home visits to children with Down Syndrome and their families during the previous Chinese New Year, in order to bring warmth and companionship.

The volunteers were divided into five groups. Each group brought prepared gifts and visited five families, offering them greetings and blessings. During the visits, the volunteers had closer conversations with the families. They felt the hardships of caring for the children, learned about the daily challenges the families face, and understood the care and support provided by the Macau government for the Down Syndrome community.

After the visits, the group members returned to the association and shared their experiences. The volunteers expressed that this home visit activity was enriching. They realized that the children have their thoughts and own world, and are capable of being independent for contributing to our community like us. Volunteers called for more societal understanding and support. From the parents of the children, they witnessed perseverance and a positive attitude. Despite the difficulties and exhaustion of daily life, the families remain optimistic. Moving forward, the volunteers hope to observe more patiently, pay closer attention, and provide better guidance to the children, encouraging them to adapt and integrate into society. The buddy group will continue to uphold its mission of caring for society and supporting vulnerable communities, striving to serve those in need.

On February 8, led by instructor Zhang Yanfei, a group of 26 students from Zhejiang University’s Morningside Culture China Scholars Program (Cultural China), visited the Chao Kuang Piu College (CKPC) at the University of Macau (UM).

CKPC’s student ambassadors first guided them on a tour to explore its facilities and living environment. Since the visiting students had no prior experience with residential colleges at UM, they expressed great interest about the college’s distinctive student brand, college activities, and long-term initiatives. Following this, Master Lau of CKPC introduced UM’s unique residential college system.  He then reflected on his own academic journey and shared insights into the evolving dynamics of our era, emphasizing China’s remarkable advancements in scientific research. This led to a broader discussion on the current situation of “unprecedented changes unseen in a century” and the thriving development of China’s higher education sector.

Afterwards, the visiting students were divided into several groups.  Under the guidance of CKPC’s student ambassadors, they had three rounds of in-depth discussions and exchanges on the theme of “Talent Development in the Context of Unprecedented Changes Unseen in a Century “.  The discussions were conducted in the format of a World Café, in which students shared their ideas and expressed their opinions from three aspects: understanding of the unprecedented changes unseen in a century, talent training in the context of such unprecedented changes, and their own training and practices.

Most students expressed their feelings about the impact of changes in the global political landscape, but they were not overly worried. They said that the most important thing is to have a solid knowledge base, while improving independent thinking, critical awareness and practical ability. In addition, they suggested that one should make good use of new technologies such as AI. No matter how the world changes, it is important to maintain high moral standards and care about the society. The theme of this World Café discussion allowed participating students to re-examine and think about the possibilities for their future development.

The visit and exchange activity ended in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. Over the past ten years, CKPC has been one of the partners for Cultural China’s study tours.  The college plans to visit Zhejiang University in mid-April.  Both sides look forward to more exchanges and cooperation in the future.

The MacLehose Trail 100km Hiking Event of the Chao Kuang Piu College of the University of Macau was successfully completed on 04 January 2025, with participants hiking the 100km long MacLehose Trail in five days. During the activity, students had the opportunity to fully apply the topics they have learnt in the past outdoor leadership programmes, such as ‘Risk Assessment and Management’, ‘Leave No Trace’ and ‘Basic Mountaineering Skills’.

As one of the world’s 20 best hiking trails, the MacLehose Trail is one of the world’s best hiking trails, with beautiful and varied scenery along the way, and different sections of the trail with varying degrees of difficulty, which tested the participants’ teamwork skills. Some participants commented that this event was a memorable and unforgettable experience despite the long distance travelled, and they felt that their endurance had been fully trained.

The Chao Kuang Piu College of the University of Macau aims to enable participants to translate the training results they have learnt in the past into practical application, to understand and appreciate the close relationship between human beings and the people, events and things around them, and to think about how to strike a balance between human beings and the natural environment around them in their lives. At the same time, they will be able to minimize the impact on the environment by practicing ‘Leave No Trace’ in the process.