October is a month of celebration across the nation. As the echoes of National Day joy still linger and the warmth of the Double Ninth Festival approaches, Ma Man Kei and Lo Pak Sam College (MLC) also marked its own milestone—the celebration of its ninth anniversary. On this festive evening, the College hosted its High Table Dinner at the Evergreen dining hall, bringing together distinguished guests, faculty members, and students to celebrate a journey of growth and achievement.
Among the honoured guests were University of Macau, Vice Rector (Student Affairs) Prof. Mok Kai Meng; Mr. Ma Iao Iao, Mrs. Ma, Dr. João Ma and Dr. Irina Ma, representatives of the donor’s family; College Master Prof. YANG Liu; Ms. Tina Jiang, Deputy Director of Academic Partnerships at Oriel College, University of Oxford; and Prof. Sun Guoxing, Senior Fellow of MLC and keynote speaker of the evening, together with members of his research team — Prof. Li Zongjin, Prof. Cui Xiuming, and Prof. Liang Rui. Also present were several College Fellows and over a hundred students and student leaders, who filled the hall with warmth, gratitude, and celebration.
Cultivating Virtue, Inspiring Growth
In his opening remarks, UM Vice Rector (Student Affairs) Prof. Mok Kai Meng warmly welcomed guests to the University of Macau and congratulated MLC on its ninth anniversary. On behalf of the University, he expressed deep gratitude to the Ma family for their unwavering support and generosity, which have been instrumental to the success of the College and University. He praised the Ma family for upholding Mr. Ma Man Kei’s patriotic spirit and profound devotion to Macao, and for their vital contributions to the growth of both the residential college system and the University as a whole.
Prof. Mok traced the development of the residential college system, which began in 2010 with two pilot colleges, was fully implemented in 2014, and MLC was established in 2016 as part of UM’s ten-college community. He highlighted that the system serves as a dynamic platform for UM’s “Four-in-One” education model, designed to prepare students to build firm roots in Macao, contribute meaningfully to the Greater Bay Area, and engage with both national development and the wider world.
He emphasized that within their colleges, students are not merely participants in activities but also creators and facilitators of their own educational journeys—discovering their strengths, cultivating their talents, and realizing their potential. The recent introduction of career planning services has further enhanced this mission, helping students systematically shape their futures and seize new opportunities with confidence.
Prof. Mok reflected that over the past nine years, Ma Man Kei and Lo Pak Sam College has embarked on a splendid journey, fueled by the support of the MLC donors and the dedication of the entire college community. He expressed his sincere thanks to everyone who has supported the College’s growth. Looking to the future, he said he is confident that the College will continue to strive for excellence, providing a quality environment where students can thrive, reach their potential, and grow into leaders who make meaningful contributions to society.
Honoring Tradition, Co-shaping Future
Mr. Ma Iao Iao, speaking on behalf of the Ma family, delivered a heartfelt address reflecting on the College’s development over the past nine years. He remarked that MLC has flourished under the ideals of whole-person education and have nurtured generations of outstanding young people who love both their country and Macao, and who have become a lasting source of vitality for the city’s development.
Mr. Ma pointed out that, under the leadership of Prof. YANG, the College has launched several distinctive initiatives — the Academy of Aesthetic Education, the Love Country Love Macao Education Exhibition Hall, and the MLC Encyclopedia Library. Among them, the Exhibition Hall showcases the lifelong dedication of Mr. Ma’s parents. Through these exhibitions, students gain a deeper understanding of history, strengthen their sense of national identity and social responsibility, and cultivate values that prepare them to contribute meaningfully to society.
Mr. Ma also spoke with admiration for the College’s natural environment, describing its courtyard as one of the most exquisite garden settings on campus — with the Golden Lace Phoenix Garden, Dragon Pearl Jasmine Garden, and Millennium Ruby Plaza each offering a quiet sense of poetic beauty. Surrounded by such grace, he said, students can find inspiration, harmony, and joy in everyday life.
Concluding his remarks, Mr. Ma extended his warmest congratulations on the College’s ninth anniversary and expressed his heartfelt wishes for its continued success and prosperity. He conveyed that the Ma family will continue to stand alongside the College community, sharing wisdom and working together in the pursuit of greater excellence and growth.
Serving Society, Building Grand Beauty
In her heartfelt address, Prof. YANG Liu, College Master of Ma Man Kei and Lo Pak Sam College, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the guests, staff, and students in her speech. She said that the warm recognition from Vice Rector Prof. Mok and the touching remarks from Mr. Ma had deeply moved her, reminding everyone of the College’s nine-year journey of growth and achievement. Prof. Yang extended her sincere thanks to all who have cared for and supported the College’s development, and to the University’s leadership for creating an excellent system that enables students to learn and live freely in a beautiful environment where whole-person education can truly flourish.
Prof. Yang expressed special thanks to Vice Rector Prof. Mok for his thoughtful guidance and enduring support for the College. She also conveyed deep appreciation to the Ma family for their generous donations and long-standing care, recognizing their long companionship and contributions to the College’s construction and development. At the same time, she thanked all staff and students for their collective effort, praising their unity and perseverance through both challenging and peaceful times, which have together shaped the College into an extraordinary and happy community.
Prof. Yang extended heartfelt appreciation to friends from all sectors of society, overseas partners, and collaborating institutions for their support. She remarked that it is through such care and collaboration that students are able to gain greater opportunities for career development and global exposure, thus a new generation of students who combine local devotion with global perspective were cultivated. In her closing words, she extended heartfelt wishes for an evening of joy and wished the College a prosperous development.
Perseverance and Courage: The Keys to Self-Improvement
As the keynote speaker of the evening, Prof. Sun Guoxing — Associate Professor at the Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering and Senior Fellow of Ma Man Kei and Lo Pak Sam College — delivered an inspiring talk titled “Perseverance and Courage: The Keys to Self-improvement.”
In May this year, Prof. Sun received the First Prize in Technological Invention at the Macao Science and Technology Awards, personally presented by the Chief Executive of the Macao SAR, Mr. Sam Hou Fai. The award recognized his team’s pioneering research on “Preparation of High-Performance Hydrogels Using Cement-Based Slow-Release Nanoparticles.” The innovation achieved a breakthrough in producing nanoparticles from ordinary cement on a large scale, with applications spanning agricultural water retention, crack-resistant concrete, and biomimetic materials — opening new paths for sustainable development and green innovation.
Prof. Sun shared insights from three perspectives — scientific spirit, academic responsibility, and personal resilience. He illustrated how perseverance and courage shape self-growth. He also presented the team’s research achievements, including their nanoporous concrete technology, now applied in major projects such as the Fourth Macao Bridge and the Hengqin Port Integrated Transport Hub. These achievements, he emphasized, not only embody the power of innovation but also the responsibility to serve society and advance sustainability through knowledge.
Prof. Sun expressed heartfelt gratitude to his mentor, Prof. Li Zongjin, Honorary Fellow of MLC, and to his collaborator, Prof. Liang Rui, for their years of guidance and companionship that have kept his research journey filled with faith and inspiration. He concluded his talk by encouraged students to embrace challenges with courage and persistence, treating self-improvement as a lifelong pursuit. His reflections deeply moved the audience, illuminating the harmony between scientific pursuit and the holistic education fostered by Ma Man Kei and Lo Pak Sam College.
Melodies and Laughter: Moments that Bind Us Together
The evening’s second half reached its joyful climax amid music and laughter. Pianist Hugo from the MLC Grand Beauty Melodic opened the performance with “Por Una Cabeza,” his graceful playing awakening memories of warmth and youth. The flowing melody seemed to trace the College’s nine-year journey — a path filled with learning, friendship, and quiet beauty.”
College Fellow Prof. Song Haomin performed a special piece titled “A Journey Through the Mountains.” Played on a stringless guitar, his magnetic voice and philosophical lyrics captured both the challenges and joys of personal growth, resonating deeply with the audience.
The final performance featured the MLC Student Choir with “A Whole New World,”, their voices rose through the hall, carrying the hopes and courage of youth as they looked toward the future. As the evening drew to a close, the students joined sang “The Same Song” together, smiles were exchanged as the familiar melody carried through the dining hall. A moment of unity where knowledge, pride, friendship, and affection intertwined. The song became not merely an ending, but a shared memory that will remain in everyone’s heart.
Nine Years of Growth
Nine years of growth, a journey in full bloom.
Nine years of dedication, a spirit shining through.
With the spirit of beauty, love, and truth,
the College walks with its youth—
rooted in love for home and nation,
growing through culture and creation.
The College walks forward with her students,
guiding them toward discovery and purpose,
fostering minds that shine beyond the campus.
