The Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin—a vibrant development area adjacent to Macao—has become a new stage for the alumni of the University of Macau (UM) to showcase their talents. From technological innovation and cultural tourism to public services, three UM alumni—Ng Hong Kei, Choi Un Pok, and Zheng Shaoshi—stand out as examples of Macao’s youth seizing opportunities in Hengqin through their professions and ambitions. Their journeys highlight how UM graduates, equipped with interdisciplinary expertise and a vision for cross-border development, are leveraging Hengqin’s favourable policies to unlock new possibilities.
Putting interdisciplinary training to full use
As integration between Macao and Hengqin continues to grow, interdisciplinary professionals have become a driving force of regional development. Through its whole-person education model, UM has established itself as an incubator for interdisciplinary professionals, producing graduates who excel across multiple disciplines, demonstrate cultural adaptability, and possess strong technological expertise. These distinctive advantages form the foundation of UM alumni’s success in Hengqin.
Hengqin Port is the first border crossing in China to adopt the ‘integrated one-stop inspection’ clearance model for vehicles. The successful implementation of this innovative ‘joint inspection and one-time release’ customs clearance system has significantly accelerated the integration between Macao and Hengqin. Notably, the system’s core technology was developed under the leadership of UM alumnus Ng Hong Kei, general manager of BoardWare Information System (Zhuhai) Limited. With his dual expertise in technology and management, Ng has emerged as a key figure driving the integration of institutional innovation and technology in Hengqin. A 2004 graduate of UM’s Business Information Systems (BIS) programme (now the Business Intelligence and Data Analytics programme), Ng credits his achievements to the interdisciplinary training he received at the university, which combined programming, database management, and strategic business analysis. ‘UM’s interdisciplinary approach prepared us to adapt quickly to different technical roles after graduation, which is exactly what Hengqin needs today—talent that can bridge multiple disciplines,’ Ng explains.
Another UM alumnus who has made a mark in Hengqin with his interdisciplinary skills is Choi Un Pok. In 2024, Choi and his team set up an office in Hengqin’s Novotown, where they launched ‘FindMacau’, a digital cultural tourism platform that promotes Macao’s rich historical and cultural heritage. Choi, who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from UM in 2002 and 2010 respectively, began his entrepreneurial journey with the aspiration to transform his final-year project into a business venture. This ambition was nurtured under the guidance of his mentor, Prof Chan Wai Kei. Over the past decade, Choi’s company, SinoKru Electronic Tech Limited, has flourished by developing operational systems for government departments, public institutions, banks, and gaming operators. Building on this success, Choi’s new company, Find Macau Technology Limited, is now pioneering innovative ways of combining cultural tourism and technology in Hengqin. Reflecting on his journey, Choi credits UM for instilling in him an adventurous spirit and hardworking attitude. ‘The greatest lesson UM taught me is that there is no limit to what I can learn. In an industry that evolves every day, I understood early on that lifelong learning is essential, which is why I have never stopped learning since graduating,’ he shares.
Zheng Shaoshi, an administrative executive in the Department of Culture and Sports Development at the Livelihood Affairs Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, plays a key role in organising exchange and internship programmes for young people in Macao. A 2016 graduate of Global Business Management, Zheng uses her international experience to connect resources in Macao and Hengqin, creating development opportunities for young people in both places. Her cross-cultural skills were honed during her time at UM, particularly through an exchange programme in Austria during her final year, which enhanced her ability to communicate and collaborate in diverse environments. These experiences, combined with training from UM courses such as ‘Business Project Management’, laid a strong foundation for her professional development. After graduating, Zheng pursued further studies in Japan, which strengthened her cross-cultural competence. ‘What I gained at UM was not just professional knowledge, but also the ability to adapt, which is exactly what Hengqin values most in professionals,’ she reflects.
From exploring opportunities to establishing roots
Opportunities always favour those with vision and determination. In Hengqin, the hub of close cooperation between Guangdong and Macao, favourable policies are consistently introduced, empowering UM alumni to achieve their goals.
Ng recalls the early days of his journey: ‘BoardWare established its Hengqin branch in 2014, which was the year the State Council approved the establishment of the Hengqin Free Trade Zone. I was one of the first to set up cross-border operations there. Back then, Hengqin was so underdeveloped that there were not even many streetlights, but I could see the immense potential of Hengqin’s future and the complementary strengths of Macao and mainland China.’ When the company officially began operations in Hengqin in 2017, it faced challenges such as insufficient transport links and high staff turnover. Yet Ng remained committed to keeping both the company’s back-end support team and its R&D centre in Hengqin. A turning point came in 2021, when favourable policies, such as the implementation of the two-line customs management system, were introduced. These policies offered companies benefits such as tax exemptions for R&D equipment and streamlined cross-border capital flows. Today, Ng’s team has overcome initial talent shortages and established a partnership with the Guangdong Institute of Intelligence Science and Technology to set up a joint laboratory focusing on cutting-edge brain-computer interface research. ‘Hengqin gives us access to the country’s technology development strategies,’ says Ng, who is confident that developing his business in Hengqin was the right decision.
‘The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is one of the world’s most dynamic economic hubs, with unparalleled access to vast consumer markets. Hengqin’s geographical advantage allows us to access resources in both Macao and mainland China,’ says Choi, who commutes daily between Macao and Hengqin. In mid-2019, he established a branch office in the Hengqin-Macao Youth Entrepreneurship Valley, followed by another in Novotown in 2024. This expansion marked a strategic transition from initial market exploration to a deeper level of engagement. Over the past five years, Choi and his company have taken full advantage of Hengqin’s business support services, benefitting from tax policy consultations and participating in policy briefing sessions. These initiatives have enabled his company to adapt quickly to mainland market regulations and integrate into the business environment in Hengqin. ‘With its improving transport links and evolving industrial ecosystem, Hengqin has become the ideal springboard for Macao businesses looking to expand into the Greater Bay Area,’ Choi reflects.
Hengqin’s high-quality public amenities provide a comfortable living environment and abundant development opportunities for professionals. Zheng first learned about the development of the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin while she was studying in Japan. After the Master Plan of the Development of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin was promulgated in 2021, she joined the Livelihood Affairs Bureau of Hengqin to help young people from Macao explore opportunities in this emerging area. ‘Hengqin’s supporting facilities are getting better and better—from infrastructure to e-commerce services, everything is now well-established. This place truly has the potential to become a second home for young people from Macao.’
UM alumni’s ‘Hengqin playbook’
Hengqin is a land of both opportunities and challenges, where only those willing to push boundaries can rise above the competition. Drawing from their experiences, UM alumni have developed a ‘Hengqin playbook’. They share how to thrive in this dynamic environment.
Ng divides Macao’s development into two eras: ‘Era 1.0 is the golden age of the gaming industry, which created high-paying jobs but also left the city heavily reliant on a single industry. Now, Era 2.0 is unfolding in Hengqin, where we can transcend geographical barriers and connect with national development strategies.’ Ng explains that he chose to give up a lucrative job in the gaming industry to start a technology business while he was still young, in order to gain more experience. ‘The policies are already in place, what we have to do is identify the right direction,’ he adds. When asked about the risks of developing in Hengqin, Ng admits that there are always opportunities and risks when establishing a business in any emerging economic zone. ‘However, the key is to be clear about what you want to do and achieve. No pain, no gain,’ he shares.
‘Running a business is not easy, as new challenges arise every day. But these challenges motivate us to innovate and achieve breakthroughs,’ says Choi. He believes that every era comes with its own set of challenges. ‘Nowadays, young people have access to AI tools, but the essence of entrepreneurship remains the same: continuous learning, innovation, and adapting to the market.’ As both an IT specialist and an operator of a media platform, Choi is deeply impressed by the rapid changes in his two industries. He says, ‘The longer I work, the more I realise how much there is to learn. Traditional approaches simply don’t work anymore in the world of AI and new media.’ For those aspiring to start a business in the Greater Bay Area, Choi offers practical advice: ‘Adjust your mindset. Integrating into the Greater Bay Area is a natural step. The key is to turn ideas into actions and find the right direction.’
As a facilitator of youth exchange programmes, Zheng frequently organises visits to Hengqin to help Macao’s young people learn more about the development of the Cooperation Zone. While Hengqin’s supporting facilities have significantly improved, she observes an information gap among the younger generation. ‘They need to take the initiative and break out of their information cocoons. Internships can be a good starting point, allowing them to test the waters while developing their professional skills.’ Zheng highlights that university students with internship experience in mainland China are often better equipped to secure jobs in Hengqin that align with their qualifications. ‘Here, young people can truly apply what they have learned. Taking the initiative to understand the policies and gain first-hand experience is the first step toward seizing opportunities,’ she adds.
More Macao stories set to unfold in Hengqin
From Ng’s technological breakthroughs to Choi’s innovations in cultural tourism and Zheng’s work in youth services, UM alumni are injecting vitality into the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. As the Cooperation Zone’s economy continues to grow and its policies and regulations strengthen, it is believed that more UM graduates will follow in their footsteps, turning their dreams into reality in this new land.
Chinese & English Text: Kelvin U
Photo: provided by interviewees
Chinese Editor: Gigi Fan
English Proofreader: Winky Kuan
Source: My UM Issue 144