Organized by the Faculty of Innovation Engineering (FIE) at Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) and sponsored by ATAL Engineering Group, the Closing Ceremony for the Second Cohort and Launch Ceremony for the Third Cohort of the “Macau High School Students Research Internship Program” was successfully held on October 28, 2026. The event was attended by Ms. Lei Im Kei, Acting Department Head of the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ), principals and teachers from various local secondary schools, industry guests, university leadership, program mentors, and students from both cohorts. Together, they witnessed the program’s expansion from two to four secondary schools, marking a new milestone in university-secondary school collaborative education in Macau.
Group photo
In his address, Prof. Pang Chuan, Vice President of MUST extended a warm congratulations to the second-cohort students on completing their internships and welcomed the incoming third cohort. He stated that MUST has always adhered to its core mission of "Serving Macau." This program is an important practical step by the university in response to the SAR Government's "1+4" adequate economic diversification strategy and in promoting collaborative talent cultivation between universities and secondary schools. By opening university laboratories and building a collaboration platform, high school students are given the opportunity to experience the complete research process firsthand, planting the seeds of technological innovation and engineering practice in the minds of young people. He emphasized that with the vigorous development of the technology industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Macau has an increasingly urgent demand for engineering and technological talent with innovative thinking. The expansion of participating high schools from two to four this year fully reflects the local education sector's recognition of the program's effectiveness. MUST will continue to optimize the program, build a bridge for university-secondary collaboration, and reserve outstanding future technological talent for Macau. He also encouraged the new students to stay curious, dare to ask questions, learn from mistakes, and discover their true interests through hands-on practice.
Speech by Vice President Pang Chuan
Prof. Sun Qiao, Dean of the Faculty of Innovation Engineering, noted that the program is designed for secondary students who are interested in technology and engineering It gives them the chance to move beyond textbooks, work on real problems, and gain a clearer sense of what research and engineering actually involve. The Faculty’s vision is to cultivate the next generation of innovators equipped with solid technical skills, practical hands-on and problem-solving abilities, adaptability to change, a strong ethical foundation, and a sense of responsibility for human well-being. Talent cultivation is built on three core pillars: a solid foundation, an interdisciplinary spirit, and community.
Regarding the solid foundation, the Faculty’s Computer Science and Software Engineering programmes have this year successfully obtained five-year full accreditation from the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE), meeting international quality standards. In terms of the interdisciplinary spirit, the Faculty brings together experts from computer science, engineering, materials, and environmental science, and offers the Bachelor of Engineering in Interdisciplinary Engineering (Technology and Management) to train engineering professionals with both technological and managerial vision. As for the community, the Faculty works closely with local and regional industries to expose students to real-world issues, fulfilling the philosophy of education serving society—which is also the core reason for establishing research internship platforms for high school students.
Dean Sun expressed the gratitude to the University, the participating high schools, and the faculty mentors for their support, with special thanks to ATAL Engineering Group for its generous sponsorship, which will be used for student awards. She hoped that more industry partners would join in. She encouraged the third-cohort students to cherish their research internship experience and discover their potential through challenges and exploration, while also encouraging more female students to pursue technology and engineering through the Faculty’s “Women in Engineering Entrance Scholarship.” She looks forward to further deepening and expanding collaboration with partner high schools.
Speech by Dean Sun Qiao
During the closing session for the second cohort, Prof. Feng Li, a representative of the mentors, shared her mentoring experience. The mentor team designed projects closely related to daily life, such as the "Macau Street Garbage Intelligent Recognition System." Through heuristic guidance, the mentors accompanied the students through the complete process from data preparation and model training to writing research reports, cultivating their evidence-based reasoning and iterative problem-solving thinking. One student shared emotionally during the presentation: "I used to think scientific research was just theory in textbooks, but now I realize that I, too, can start from scratch and use technology to solve real-world problems." This transformation from a "knowledge receiver" to an "active explorer" is the core value of the program.
Prof. Feng Li sharing mentoring insights
Afterwards, Mr Patrick C H Lai, Associate Director – Building Services (Macau) of ATAL Building Services (Macao) Limited, together with Associate Dean Li Xiaodong, and Assistant Dean Yang Lei presented the " Outstanding Student Awards" sponsored by the company, recognizing students for their outstanding performance during the internship. Three outstanding students shared their gains and personal growth from participating in the research internship. Certificates of appreciation were given to the second-cohort mentors, and graduation certificates were presented to all second-cohort students.
Outstanding students receiving awards and sharing
Mentor representatives receiving certificates of appreciation
Second-cohort students receiving graduation certificates
The launch ceremony for the third cohort was officiated by Ms. Lei Im Kei, Mr Parick C H Lai, Vice President Pang Chuan, Dean Sun Qiao, Dr. Michael Choi (Chairman of the External Advisory Committee of the School of Computer Science and Engineering, FIE), and representatives from the participating secondary schools: Mr. Iao Tun Ieng (Principal of Hou Kong Middle School), Mr. Chang Kei Chun (Principal of Keang Peng School), and Mr. Chan Keng Lim (Vice Principal of Pui Ching Middle School).
Launching ceremony
Following the launch ceremony, Dean Sun Qiao signed cooperation agreements with the representatives of the participating secondary schools, formalizing a longer-term partnership in science education and talent development.
Cooperation agreement signing ceremony
Assistant Dean Yang Lei introduced the details of the third-cohort program to the attendees. Following the introduction, Assistant Dean Yang Lei and Prof. Jolly Wong, on behalf of FIE, presented a souvenir to ATAL Engineering Group to express gratitude for their strong support.
Presentation of souvenir to ATAL Engineering Group
Subsequently, Associate Dean Li Xiaodong and Assistant Dean Yang Lei presented appointment letters to the new mentors. The ceremony concluded with a networking tea session, allowing new students and mentors to meet face-to-face and officially embark on their research journey.
Mentor representatives receiving letters of appointment
This event strengthened the cooperative relationship among MUST, local secondary schools and industry partners, continuously advancing science popularization and research education. In the future, FIE will continue to play the role of a bridge, opening the door to the world of scientific research for Macau's youth and cultivating engineering talent with innovative thinking for the high-quality development of Macau and the Greater Bay Area.
