Cover Story:

- 681 Graduates Bid Farewell at Graduation

- Speech by Rector and Professor Iu Vai Pan

-Students participate in the work of the Internet Radio.

On 16 December, the University Internet Radio Station started its operations. The official launch is anticipated in March next year. This project was taken on by Faculty of Education (FED) students. The preparation work commenced last year and it was ready for trial broadcasting this school term.

The set up of the Station is to arouse public and UM students' attention to education. In this trial period, the Station has a diverse broadcast programmes including UM's latest news and activities, featured interviews and forums for current news issues, entertainment, fashion, drama, astrological analysis, holiday fun places, and interesting stories on education issues.

For the students, whose background is not in communications, running a radio station is a big challenge. They started everything from scratch: the programme planning, theme selection, material collection, script writings, recording, editing sound tracks and music, loading up to the website as well as tedious administrative and financial work. But in the process, students gained much knowledge outside their own field of study.

"Before we initiated the project, we could not imagine that many problems. Problems seemed endlessly to appear in organizing working meetings, distributing and utilizing resources to operating equipment." Behind this conclusion, though, all the students involved took those hardships as the basis for their eventual satisfaction.

In reality, the Station started broadcasting under conditions of inadequate hardware and software. "Our equipment was poor, computer knowledge and skills were lacking, and so were the human and financial resources. We had to solve all those problems by ourselves, which gave us the opportunity to acquire skills on administrative planning, leading and responding to situations, handling interpersonal relations and upgrading our computer knowledge. We became eloquent as well. "

Their diligent efforts have not gone in vain. They received plenty of feedback after the broadcast. Many more students initiated participation in the work of the Station. At the beginning there were only seven to eight volunteers; now there are over thirty. The enlarged work team envisions greater development possibilities.

After conclusion of the trial period, programmes for broadcast will be further enriched to include more news on education, themed educational and entertaining items, a forum for students and the public to discuss hot education issues, and a widening of the scope of featured interviews to include students as interviewees.

Based on the few months' experience of the students, coach Dr Cheang Ian Pui admired their achievements. "The project has induced a sense of belonging in the students. It made them work wholeheartedly in the Station's work which enabled them to release their power at an unimaginable level. "

However, Dr Cheang pointed out that the work of the Station still leaves room for much improvement which not only needs the dedicated efforts of students, but also greater support from the University in clearing up barriers and creating better conditions for its development. It is hoped that future students will have the opportunity to learn and practise in a radio station.

-Elisabella (left) and Joyce share their learning experiences.

In response to societal development needs, while helping to spread knowledge, the curricula at UM have been geared to nurture practical skills among students, putting classroom knowledge into real life. As an example of the interaction of theory and know-how, projects Gateway and UM Bridge by the English Department were designed as must courses for its students.

Defined by the Communications programme structure, all third year students in the programme are required to take both the practical video Production and the Publication courses. This lays the theoretical foundation for real life practice on campus for students, when they enter the fourth year in which they are to produce Gateway, a video production, and UM Bridge, a print publication circulated within the department. Total practical training takes two semesters in which students are divided into two groups. Eachgroup is engaged in one of the two projects for one semester and later swaps project engagement for another semester. With full-rounded practical experience in both broadcasting work and print media, students can make an easier transit from school to the workplace.

Elisabella and Joyce had just completed the work on Gateway and UM Bridge, respectively. They both felt the two projects had an active role in strengthening the knowledge of students. They said: "The whole process of planning, defining of contents, collecting data, video shooting, script writing, editing, producing layout or voice over was handled by students. From the process, we comprehended real difficulties and learned problem solving skills and methods."

Although the work had been divided, during the production process students would help each other to whole-heartedly carry out the work. In the Gateway project, the greatest problem was the lack of equipment; and for the UM Bridge the tight schedule for the completion of three different versions of an eight-page, A3 sized newspaper.

"To tell the truth, the lack of experience was a bigger problem than the tight schedule. But these two projects were good test of our will and trained our thinking, a wonderful test and psychological preparation for us working in the real world soon," admitted Elisabella and Joyce.

Communications work strives for applicability, as Elisabella and Joyce said, "If there were adequate equipment, students will be benefited more." UM will continue to improve and provide the necessary equipment and facilities, and a better learning environment for students.

-A Debate Competition marks the one year anniversary of the establishment of the Debate Team.

After winning the "Yu-Liang Cup" last March, the Mandarin debate team won the "Min-Ao Cup", "Hua-Ao Cup" and "Rong Ao Cup" in competitions with students from China. The team was only set up a year ago and has shown great potential among more experienced teams in China. Winning numerous awards has made it a brilliant star among UM Students' Union's sub-clubs.

Team leader Lin Zhensheng and assistant coach Ni Ming believe that the debate team could achieve such records largely due to the support and attention from the University's leadership. "Practice is of course necessary, but practical experience from the battleground is more important. Competitions not only provide opportunities for putting in use what we have learned but also enable us to accurately identify areas needed to be further trained for. Since participating in competitions off campus takes resources, without the support from the University administration, the team could not have achieved such a marked progress within a short time."

In addition, the diligent efforts of the team members are also the success elements for the team's development. To supplement their experience, the team practiced at least twice a week except during final examinations, while at the beginning of the term, the frequency increased up to five to six nights a week. They learned debating skills and strengthened their ability to speak extemporaneously. Focusing on a given debate topic before each competition, members would extensively collect information and intensify their skill training attentively.

Students from different faculties or school years, devoting themselves to both their regular studies and the intensive training required for debating, work together to complement each other, but it is team leader Lin Zhensheng who takes the interests of the whole into account. Lin coordinates a practice schedule to ensure cohesiveness of the team and provides everyone with opportunities to practice. Considering the pace and capacity of each member, assistant coach Ni Ming designs training plans and achieves a cooperative relationship with the student debaters.

Team members are from China and Macao, who have grown up with different social and learning backgrounds, ideologies, viewpoints and ways of thinking. How to bridge the gap? "We do have conflicts in our opinions. But we take a more objective view in analyzing issues. With no aggressiveness in mind, we evaluate all ideas to reach better results. Students from China are keen on art and philosophy and complement their counterparts from Macao who are more familiar with local situations. Maximizing the favourable factors, minimizing the unfavourable ones and complementing each others' weaknesses build the strength of this team."

Lam Zhensheng and Ni Ming believed that the cooperation between students and the University administration will be turned into great power and bring vitality to their team.

-Elisa (left) and Alice

English is the teaching medium in UM. Therefore to raise the English level of students has been one of the focuses of UM. Some effectiveness has been obtained as in the recent Macao English Speech Contest, four of the final ten participants were from UM.

The four students were Alice Lam Pui Keng and Wu Wing Si of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities; Fok Si Wing of the Faculty of Science and Technology and Elisa Lai Kin Teng of the Faculty of Education. Alice and Elisa both agreed that the competition broadened their vision and strengthened their self-confidence - the purpose for their participation.

From the first round of selection to the final competition, there was about one month's time. They admitted that those thirty days were not easy to manage. For good results in the first round, they wasted no time in collecting materials, writing and memorizing their own speeches. This enabled them to outpace 30 other contestants in their group to enter the final round of competition.

From the first round Alice and Elisa understood their own strengths and weaknesses and found ways to overcome their weaknesses. "I was too nervous in the first round. My speech was not fluent and I could not perform to my full capability. For the final, I decided to focus on my speaking technique. I recited my speech as I was walking, having a shower or waiting for a bus. After a while, it became second nature. Even after the contest, I still recited the speech," confessed Alice. At the same time, Alice chose a less popular topic for her speech.

"I started my speech with a foreign poem which described Macao as a place full of conflicts - upholding religion and culture while sustaining gambling and entertainment businesses. My speech opposed the poet's views by arguing that outsiders can only conclude on the culture of a place after much experience. I supported my views that Macao lies within the confluence of Eastern and Western cultures." As for Elisa, her focus was on improving the content of her speech and she thus revised it many times. Through the image of Macao as a tourism city, she expressed the feeling of "Macao is My Home". She portrayed Macao from four aspects: a peaceful land, a melting-pot of Eastern and Western cultures, the human touch, and the colourful gaming industry.

After this period of intense preparation, the two were ready for the day of the final competition. Alice and Elisa did not win any prizes from the competition but the rewarding experiences were precious. They appreciated the guidance their coaching teachers gave. "During that period our teachers gave us tremendous support and showered many suggestions upon us."

Participating in competitions was not to pursue awards but more a way to discover their own inadequacies for improvement, a medium for self-examination. Alice hoped to share her experience with her peers for growth together. Elisa, who is entering the education field, is ambitious, saying: "I will enrich my teaching with my experience to help provide better learning opportunities to the next generation." Alice and Elisa suggested that their peers should actively take part in such activities on and off campus for greater development and knowledge.

-The winners of the honours and the guests

The 2001/2002 Rector's Honour List and the Best Athletes award ceremony was held in the Senate room on 4 December. Students with the best academic achievements from five faculties were awarded.

The Rector's Honour List was established to honour students who achieved excellence in their studies. Every year the student with the highest total academic score in each faculty is given the award along with a scholarship and certificate. The ceremony was presided over by Rector Iu Vai Pan, Vice Rectors Rui Martins and Huang Yajun. The award winning students were: Fok Si Man (Accounting/Faculty of Business Administration); Chan Ka Lon (English/Faculty of Education); Vong Sok Hei (Chinese Law/Faculty of Law), Tong Wai Chan (English (general)/Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities) and Ian Un Pui (Software Engineering/Faculty of Science and Technology).

In the same ceremony the Best Athletes award was conferred to students who excelled in sports and brought honours to UM during the year. The Lisboa Holdings contributed a scholarship for this award. Rector Iu Vai Pan presented a token of gratitude to the sponsor's representative Mr Gou Chong Kit. Vice Rector Rui Martins and Mr Gou presented the certificate and scholarship to the five best athletes: Cheong Weng Tong, Ho Wai Chun, Lam Chi Seng, Leong Hiu Fai, and Lam Kuok Wan. Vice Rector Huang Yajun presented souvenirs to the coaches who trained the athletes and thanked them for their efforts. Those who attended the ceremony included heads of all faculties, head of the Academic Affairs Bureau, teachers and staff members. Students were encouraged to continue their diligent efforts in the coming years.

Rector's Honour List

On 19 November, in order to strengthen communications and to exchange ideas with the students, Rector Iu Vai Pan and the Head of Academic Affairs Bureau Paul Pang met with representatives of the Students' Union and its sub-clubs.

At the meeting, Rector Iu gave recognition to the work done by all the sub-clubs. It was anticipated that this meeting would enable the management and the students to better understand each other. Representatives of the Union also expressed that, since the number of students has been increasing, the work-load of the Union has also rapidly expanded and requires more resources. The Students' Union hoped that the University would provide more support in areas such as finance, venues for activities and external communications, and organize more activities of higher educational exchanges locally and internationally.

Rector Iu acknowledged the needs raised by the Union and pledged to try to support its work. For venues for activities, the Union may consider using more of the University's Cultural Centre. The problem of the tight office space for sub-clubs should be eased by the further expansion of UM premises in the near future.

The represented sub-clubs were: Catholic Association, China Mainland Students' Association, China Studies Society, Chinese Studies' Club, Christian Fellowship, Debating Club/Debate Team, Drama Society, English Society, IEE, IEEE, International Film Society, Japanese Youth Club, Sports Association, Student Hostel Association, Music Society, and Students Associations of faculties.

The 4-day XVI World Congress of Accountants was opened on 19 November at the Hong Kong Convention Centre. The theme was Information Economics and Accountants and the Congress' purpose was to exchange ideas on local and international issues of common concerns. A group of UM students accompanied by teachers participated in the Congress.

The Congress hosted over 5,000 accountants from nearly one hundred countries. To support the Congress, the accountants' sector in Macao - including the Accountants Association and the Auditors and Accountants Association together with UM's group - formed a delegation to participate. The delegation visited the Chief Executive of Macao, Mr Ho Hau Wah, and shared with him relevant details of the Congress before its departure.

Three topical meetings, thirteen group discussions and two China forums were held at the Congress. Topics included the Role of Auditors, the Changing Role of Auditors, the Reform of International Accounting Standards, and the Development of a Global Supervision Standard under Globalization - all changes faced by the Accounting profession in the Information Economy.

-(from left) Lam Chi Seng, Lui Ho Kei and Hui Ho Yin.

-2002 Orientation for new students from China

On 27 September the Student Hostel Association and the China Mainland Students' Association, sub-clubs of the Students' Union, organized the 2002 Welcome Night for Students from China. Over 200 students attended.

Vice Rector Huang Yajun, Director of Department of Publicity & Cultural Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central Peoples' Government (PCALOCPG) in the Macao SAR Mr Kong Fanzhuang and President of the Student Hostel Association Mr Tang Ren delivered their speeches. They welcomed the new students to join UM's big family, and wished them a fruitful academic life and happy years while in Macao. The Night featured singing, dancing and games. Over 200 students in good spirits enjoyed the evening, which was concluded by the song "Blessing You".

Other guests attending the party were: the Chief of the General Management and Organization Dept of the Macao SAR Public Prosecutor's Office Ho Kam Ming, Depute Division Head of PCALOCPG Dong Jun, Director of Heng On Groups Leong Shek Ming, Head of the Academic Affairs Bureau Paul Pang, Chief of the Student Affairs Office Si Tou Ieng Kit, Executive Officer for Mainland Affairs and Cooperation of the Rector's Office Wang Qi, President of the UM Students' Union Sherry Lam, UM Hostel Executive Cheung Kwok Cheong, Lei Iang Mang and the President of the China Students Association Ma Xiaolan.

-Students celebrate the third anniversary of the return of the sovereignty of Macao.

-Students perform enthusiastically.

The Students' Union organized the Concert for the 3rd Anniversary of Macao's Return to Chinese Sovereignty in the Leal Senado Square on 20 December.

The Cantonese Music Group of the Macao Hac Sa Van District Association, Chinese Folk Music Association (Macao) and the Zhongshan University Orchestra were invited to perform Chinese music and orchestral music to express their joy for the occasion. The programme was rich and diverse. Though performed under drizzling conditions, it attracted a large crowd and much applause from the audience.

VIP guests were the Deputy Division Head of Publicity & Cultural Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central Peoples' Government in the Macao SAR Ning Yuetao, Head of the Academic Affairs Bureau of UM Paul Pang, Chief of the Student Affairs Office Si Tou Ieng Kit and Vice President of the UM Alumni Association Vong Sio Hong.