Associate Professor ZHAO Hai Xia sharing university studies
On September 21st 2025, the first "University Life" general education lecture organized by the Department of General Education (DGE) at Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) was successfully held at the R109 Auditorium. The event featured , Chair Professor Paul Kwong Hang Tam, Vice President of MUST, Associate Professor ZHAO Hai Xia and Assistant Professor XIANG Fang from University International College (UIC) as speakers for over 3,800 new undergraduate students to share their insights on university studies.
The lecture began with Vice President Paul Tam delivering an online welcome speech. He represented the university and all teachers, welcoming the freshmen with enthusiasm and hoping that they would work hard and strive upwards. He introduced the concept of "Whole Person Education" and explained the necessity and importance of this course, hoping that the freshmen would adapt to university life and integrate themselves through their studies in this course and gradually forming their own outlook on life, values and world view, and achieve healthy personal growth
President Paul Tam delivering an online welcome speech
And then, Vice President Paul Tam went on to introduce the important historical position and contemporary role of the Macao Special Administrative Region, reminding students to study Macao’s laws and regulations as well as MUST’s rules and discipline carefully. He stressed that academic integrity is the most basic requirement for students; throughout their studies they must attach great importance to discipline and the law, and from the very first day root their learning and behavior in discipline, legality and academic honesty. He also urged students to engage in interdisciplinary learning, mastering professional knowledge while acquiring useful skills, broadening their horizons and enhancing their understanding of different disciplines, cultivating their own "soft power" to meet the goal of whole-person education and facilitate future development. He encouraged everyone to make full use of the University’s excellent learning environment and resources, actively join student associations, value practical opportunities and achieve all-round personal development.
Finally, Vice President Paul Tam gave two important reminders to the students: firstly, regarding the use of generative-AI tools: powerful learning and exploration aids such as ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Doubao, Claude and Grok, built on deep neural networks, should assist rather than replace students’ thinking and creativity. He asked students to use these tools rationally, prudently and responsibly, strictly observing the principles of "careful verification, academic integrity, privacy and compliance, assistance not replacement, moderate use, transparency and accountability, and continuous updating." Secondly, he alerted students to guard against telephone and online fraud. Vice President Paul Tam finally wished the students a happy four years of undergraduate study at MUST, good health, and success.
Associate Prof. ZHAO Hai Xia from UIC
Assisstant Prof. XIANG Fang from UIC
Associate Professors ZHAO Hai Xia and XIANG Fang from UIC shared insights on "Introduction to University Studies." Starting from three breakthroughs in university philosophy and its causes in world higher education history, they gradually progressed through the MUST motto "Dedication to practical studies, Enhancement of knowledge, Ability and Quality", conveying the mission, goals, and functions of university education. They hoped that by the end of their four-year studies, all students would possess the five qualities expected of MUST graduates: discerning, sincere and respectful, innovative, civic conscious and globally aware.
The "University Life" course also invited staff from the Culture and Sports Development Office of MUST to introduce campus culture and the University’s core values—"pursuit of excellence, innovation, cultural diversity, openness and inclusiveness, international vision, and social responsibility"—and to showcase the colorful student associations on campus. The session ended with the teaching of the University Anthem, hoping that every newcomer who joins the MUST family will become a disseminator of the university spirit by singing the University Anthem together.
This "University Life" course is a compulsory course set up for new undergraduate students by MUST, aiming to help freshmen transition into university life smoothly and quickly as well as to plan for their future career paths through a series of comprehensive, interdisciplinary lectures and practical experiences.
staff from the Culture and Sports Development Office
