Posted on: 2019-02-11

CCE’s student and faculty delegation recently returned from its short-term exchange trip to Macau. The delegation, which consists of 38 members, embarked on an eight-day trip that lasted from January 19th to 26th, 2019. The trip, as a part of the Double First-Class Initiative, and to broaden students’ academic horizon and collaborative spirit, brought participants to visit Macau University and Macau University of Science and Technology.          

In the University of Macau, the team explored the university campus, stayed in the graduate dormitory and dined in the university cafeteria. Their hosts, professors from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, showcased their research interests through discussion sessions and seminars. Altogether, our students were able to experience first-hand what it is like to learn and live on a campus very different from our own.

Professors from UM introduced their expertise and research applications in efficient power-saving circuits, game theory in information query, and EEG detection in biomedicine. Students were also invited to enter laboratories, to participate in classes and ongoing-research, where graduate students explained their projects and the underlying principles to our students through clear and concise descriptions.  

While on campus, students also visited the State Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI, where they witnessed how cutting-edge computer chip research is being conducted, and how these research are being applied and transferred to a broad range of real-world applications, especially in biomedicine.

Besides academic activities, the team also experienced the scholarly atmosphere and culture of UM. They have visited the campus library, to see how architecture, modern technology, design, and culture blended together to bring an enabling ambiance for inquisitive minds.

By far, one of the most unforgettable experiences was the visit to the Colégio de Lui Che Woo. A blended institute that focuses on training well-rounded practical talents, the unique features of the Colégio provided a whole new perspective for our students, bringing human-dimensions into their world-view, showing how UM students enrich their network through social activities. After the tour, our students gained a better understanding that academic prowess is but one part of success, and should be combined with emotional intelligence to become someone that is truly useful to society.  

Our gracious hosts from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering also prepared a friendship gala, the “UM ECE Night”. In return, our students also participated with their own on-stage performance, contributing Jilin University’s culture to the friendship gala.

For the second leg of the journey, the delegation visited the University of Science and Technology of Macao, which included a campus tour, seminar series, and detailed introductions of its programs and current research. Next, our students listened as Professor Li Dong shared his research in wireless communications. While on campus, our team visited the National Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Sciences to witness the frontiers of China’s space exploration projects, and how China is contributing to human kind's knowledge of the universe.

Additionally, our students explored the city of Macau. As a city of huge historical changes, Macau is a holistic representation of the past and present, of China and the West. A former colony that resulted from close-door policies now turned modern and developed city, Macau is a living testament for our student to learn that only by opening our minds to the outside world, and staying true to our missions, can China, or any society for that matter, develop.

Upon returning, our team can announce the delegation a success. The short-exchange strengthened the friendship between our university and our Macau colleagues. It laid a solid foundation for future cooperation and exchange, at the same time, enhanced our Undergraduates’ international perspective and academic horizon, all the while preparing them for future overseas learning and exchanges. Our team members have indicated that this was not only an eye-opening experience, but also a trip of inspiration, as they are now dedicated more than ever to contribute to learning from and cooperating with the rest of the world.