Moon Chun Memorial College (MCMC) at the University of Macau (UM) is widely recognised for its welcoming atmosphere. The college embraces students from all over the world, offering them a variety of opportunities to experience life in a completely new setting. When MCMC welcomed its first cohort in the autumn of 2014, founding College Master Prof Kevin (Kit) Thompson emphasised the importance of supporting students’ development beyond academia. This philosophy continues to guide MCMC today and is further reflected in the college’s efforts to cultivate student leadership. The college is committed to supporting every student and helping them overcome cultural challenges and adjust to life in Macao.
Opening a New Chapter as MCMC Celebrated Its Tenth Anniversary
In the autumn of 2022, Cheung Kwok Cheung, professor in the Faculty of Education, was appointed college master of MCMC, ushering in a new chapter for the college. Under his leadership, MCMC introduced a series of innovative and transformative initiatives to strengthen its identity, enrich its culture, and enhance its overall performance. Prof Cheung also encouraged all college members to practice three core virtues: truth, goodness and beauty. Leading up to its tenth anniversary, MCMC refined its mission and vision, celebrating this milestone with a string of events, including an anniversary ceremony and a graduation dinner for its eighth cohort of graduates.
MCMC has long been committed to broadening students’ perspectives and deepening their understanding of the world by encouraging them to learn about different customs, traditions, and values. This cultural diversity is one of the college’s greatest strengths. Through experiential learning activities, academic seminars, and other college-led events, MCMC cultivates an open and inclusive mindset.
For many international students, MCMC feels like a home away from home, offering a strong sense of belonging through its vibrant ‘British House System’. Upon admission, students are assigned to one of five houses, each located on a different floor and named after a UNESCO World Heritage site in Macao. These houses organise a wide range of activities that reflect the college’s five cultural pillars, promoting exchange and interaction among students.
A Cultural and Linguistic Melting Pot for Developing Soft Skills
Under Prof Cheung’s guidance, each house appoints a housemaster or housemistress who serves as a supportive parental figure (in loco parentis) for members. Among these, Camões House is notable for linguistic and cultural diversity. With Associate Master Dr Manuel Noronha as housemaster, and a team of student leaders including resident tutors (RTs) and resident assistants (RAs), Camões House offers strong support to all members.
This academic year (2025/2026), Stephanie Andaluz, a doctoral student in the Faculty of Health Sciences, and Gabriela Silva, a master’s student in the Faculty of Social Sciences, serve as Camões House’s RTs. Their primary role is to help new house members build connections within the community by providing academic support and pastoral care. In addition, six RAs—Tatiana Muniz Rodriguez, Kimberley Cordes, Cecilia Caturra, Feng Yongqin, Ouyang Zhexin, and Li Xiyue—have joined the team. Together, they create a dynamic group, each contributing their unique expertise and interests. Their mission is to ensure the wellbeing of house members and address concerns related to accommodation, dietary preferences, or other personal needs.
The unwavering support provided by these student leaders plays a key role in helping college members step out of their comfort zones and overcome challenges in unfamiliar situations. For more introverted students, RTs and RAs often become ‘pillars of strength’, helping them build resilience and confidence.
The cultural and linguistic diversity of the leadership team adds another layer of value, enabling students to develop essential soft skills such as adaptability, communication, and problem-solving. This environment allows each new cohort, including returning senior students, to embrace college life. Students treasure the opportunity to meet new friends, gain fresh perspectives, and develop skills that will be invaluable in their future professional lives.
Building Bridges Across Borders
At MCMC, international students serve as ambassadors of their home countries. The college encourages them to build bridges across borders by fostering cross-cultural communication.
MCMC boasts an inclusive learning and social environment. When international students arrive at UM, they expect to learn about Macao and China as a whole, as well as to build relationships with local and mainland students. In this process, adapting to a new culture, language, and even customs equips students with invaluable professional skills that prepare them for future challenges.
Building a community that facilitates international students’ integration into the learning and social environment benefits everyone. For local students, especially those who do not have plans to participate in study programmes abroad, interactions with international students at MCMC may be their only opportunity to engage in cross-cultural experiences during their time at university.
A diverse and inclusive community ensures that all students feel welcomed in their environment. This setting promotes racial inclusion, fosters cognitive growth, reduces prejudice and dismantles prior stereotypes.
MCMC is committed to fostering an equitable space for all members—a place that promotes social integration, cultural awareness, and the cultivation of a global mindset. This environment further strengthens students’ sense of belonging through mentoring programmes, including sports groups for football and volleyball, Kizomba and Capoeira dance classes, weekly culinary exchange gatherings, local excursions, and other experiential learning opportunities. These activities connect new and senior students, helping them build relationships while also enhancing academic skills, improving social and emotional wellbeing, and fostering leadership and identity.
Meeting the Needs of International Students: MCMC’s Commitment to Goodness and Beauty
Beyond the virtue of truth, MCMC demonstrates its commitment to the virtues of goodness and beauty in education by prioritising the physical and mental wellbeing of international students. Adapting to a new environment can be challenging, as international students often navigate an unfamiliar academic system, overcome language barriers, manage culture shock and homesickness, handle financial pressures, and embrace newfound personal independence. To help international students overcome these concerns, MCMC goes beyond fostering a supportive learning and social environment; it proactively identifies and supports students with special needs. The college’s residential staff and student leaders receive specialised training to provide timely assistance to students in need. In addition, in collaboration with the Student Affairs Office, MCMC has recruited a Portuguese-speaking counsellor to assist students from the Lusophone community.
MCMC’s commitment to internationalisation is grounded in a strategic and holistic approach. The college not only strives to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for international students but also emphasises academic success, cross-residential college course participation, international partnerships, and faculty professional development. Many non-residential fellows and academic staff actively participate in in-house training programmes, further enhancing the college’s ability to provide comprehensive support for students. Through academic assistance, workshops, and access to blended-learning resources, MCMC ensures that students are well-equipped to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
