In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region, the 105th birthday of Mr. Ma Man Kei, and the 8th anniversary of Ma Man Kei and Lo Pak Sam College (MLC) of the University of Macau (UM), the College held a High Table Dinner on November 22nd. The event also marked the opening of the “Inheritance and Innovation: Exhibition of Mr. Ma Man Kei’s Patriotism”. Guests from various sectors and college teachers and students gathered to inherit Mr. Ma’s patriotic spirit, promote national sentiments, and look forward to new chapters of innovative development.

1. Grand Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

The event began with the UM anthem sung by teachers and students. Professor Yang Liu, MLC’s College Master, invited distinguished guests including Professor Ge Wei, Vice Rector (Research) of UM, representatives of the Ma family Mr. Ma Iao Iao and Dr. Irina Ma Chi Wai, Lifetime Chair Professor of Technology and Innovation, Professor Chu Daping from the University of Cambridge, renowned world singer Professor Lu Miao, Ms. Carol Wong, Director of Rector’s Office of UM, representative of college non-resident fellows Prof. Matthew Wallace and other guests to the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The exhibition, themed “Inheritance and Innovation”, showcased Mr. Ma’s deep affection and outstanding contributions to the country, the Macao SAR, the society, and his family through rich historical materials, precious photos, and cultural artefacts. Mr. Ma’s patriotic deeds and spirit inspire the youth of the new era to actively integrate into the development of the country and the world, bravely shoulder the responsibilities of the times, and continuously innovate.

2. Inspiring Speeches

In his speech, Vice Rector, Professor Ge Wei first expressed his heartfelt congratulations on several significant occasions: the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the 25th anniversary of Macau’s return to the motherland, the 105th anniversary of Ma Man Kei’s birth, the successful unveiling of MLC’s exhibition on patriotism, and the 8th anniversary of MLC. Professor Ge Wei praised the significant role of MLC in UM’s Residential College System and its remarkable achievements in ‘4-in-1’ collaborative education. He highlighted UM’s rise to 180th in the global rankings after its relocation, marking its rapid academic and developmental progress. Particularly, the construction of the new campus in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, expected to be completed by 2028, would further enhance the university’s international standing. These achievements not only reflect the improvement of the university’s educational level and global influence, but also signify continuous progress in higher education in the Macao SAR. He expressed his gratitude to the national government and the Macao SAR, as well as to the Ma family and the broader community for their strong support of the university and the college, and wished for the continued prosperity of the country, Macao, UM and MLC.

Mr. Ma Iao Iao, representing the Ma family, reminisced about Mr. Ma Man Kei and Madame Lo Pak Sam’s patriotic sentiments and their contributions to the country and Macao. He shared that in 1943, when Mr. Ma Man Kei and Madame Lo Pak Sam got married, they decided to donate the funds intended for their wedding banquet—50,000 yuan—to the Guangdong Women’s Association’s wartime orphanage to help children orphaned by the war, spreading great love. Mr. Ma Man Kei and Madame Lo Pak Sam dedicated their lives to the development of the country and Macao, were passionate about public welfare and charity, and worked tirelessly to promote the welfare of women, children, and education in Macao, making an indelible contribution to the development of education in the region. Mr. Ma Iao Iao emphasized that Mr. Ma Man Kei and Madame Lo Pak Sam were not only a source of personal pride but also a symbol of the spirit of love for the country and Macao that he hoped the College’s teachers and students would continue to pass on. He praised the College’s leadership, especially College Master Professor Yang Liu, for creating the patriotic exhibition and commended the meaningful and beautiful design of the display. Mr. Ma Iao Iao thanked all those who had contributed to the development of MLC, wishing the College great prosperity!

Professor Yang Liu reflected on the College’s journey. She noted that from its early days in Hengqin to its expansion and the vibrant development today, every step had been built on the hard work of the teachers, students, and management teams, with strong support from the university leadership, as well as generous donations from the Ma family and deep care from the community. Looking forward to the future, Professor Yang encouraged the college to stay true to its original mission and continue to grow stronger through inheritance and innovation.

3. High-End Lecture

While fostering a sense of patriotism, it is also crucial to explore innovation to pursue national aspirations through technological advancement. The highlight of the evening, a high-level speech, impressed everyone in attendance. Professor Chu Daping delivered a keynote address discussing the historical mission of the University of Cambridge and the role of engineering-driven business innovation. Professor Chu introduced the influence of the University of Cambridge as a top global institution and its pursuit of excellence in education, research, and academics. He reflected on the university’s history and its global collaboration experience, demonstrating how Cambridge has had a profound impact on the global economy and social development through academic cooperation and technological innovation. He cited examples such as waveguide-enhanced reality smart glasses and a head-mounted display device that doesn’t require adjustment, showcasing the role of engineering innovation in advancing business and addressing global challenges. In conclusion, Professor Chu advocated for global cooperation, calling for the convergence of top educational resources, research achievements, and technological innovation to meet global challenges. His international perspective and spirit of innovation provided deep inspiration for the teachers and students, offering new opportunities for collaboration.

4. Elegant Performances

After the speeches by the distinguished guests, renowned soprano Professor Lu Miao performed the classic piece “I Love You, China” with her superb technique, bringing the evening’s atmosphere to a climax. Professor Lu’s beautiful, clear, and profound voice expressed deep affection for the motherland’s nature and landscape, stirring the hearts of everyone present. Her heartfelt rendition conveyed the deep love of overseas Chinese for their homeland, evoking strong emotions in the audience.

Serena Ma Chi In, a Resident Tutor from the College, played a solo on the yangqin, ” The Blossoming Red Flowers of the Mountains”, a beautiful and rhythmic melody full of local flavor, passion, and strength. This piece, rich in red revolutionary memories, embodied the heroic spirit of overcoming difficulties and praised the great achievements of historical figures. The performance resonated deeply with the audience, sparking a unique sense of love and emotion.

MLC’s dance group Shuffle performed a K-pop dance filled with youthful energy and passion. Their light, swift movements, cheerful music, and bold dance steps created a joyful atmosphere, with their energetic performance expressing deep affection for the country. Their body language told the story of youth and conveyed heartfelt patriotism.

MLC’s Grand Beauty Melody passionately performed “The Same Song”, a melody filled with longing and hope for a better life, singing the shared values of unity among the teachers and students. The lyrics reflected the connection between individual growth and the country’s development, as well as the collective desire for a prosperous future.

5. Heartfelt Exchanges

After enjoying the elegant cultural performances, the evening continued with a toast. Professor Yang Liu offered a toast, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the guests and sending sincere wishes to the teachers and students. She wished that the MLC family would often gather together, sharing the warmth of their home, and that the guests would enjoy every moment spent at MLC. She wished everyone a bright future, successful careers, and happiness in life. In the warm and joyful atmosphere, guests, teachers and students communicated openly: some discussed academic mysteries, sparking new ideas with every exchange; others shared life’s insights, making simple conversations meaningful through mutual understanding; and still others spoke about future collaboration across mountains and seas, finding resonance in shared dreams.

6. Shared Vision of Grand Beauty

The high table dinner and the opening of the exhibition focused on inheritance and innovation, embodying the patriotic and innovative spirit of the College’s teachers and students. It deepened the understanding and inheritance of Mr. Ma Man Kei’s patriotic sentiments, consolidating the faith and responsibility of the youth at the University of Macau. Through the Residential College System and Communal Meal Participation Education, the university promotes interdisciplinary exchange, enhancing the vitality and creativity of the academic community. At the same time, this activity marked a beautiful encounter and joint contribution from the global academic community, a shared song of Great Love, Grand Beauty, and a response to global challenges.