The University of Macau (UM) Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) recently held the Biomedical Sciences Summer Camp 2021. Organised in two sessions, the event attracted over 60 students from 35 secondary schools in Macao. In addition to attending lectures and conducting experiments in the laboratory, participants also had the opportunity to stay at residential colleges to experience university life characterised by a ‘4-in-1’ model of education.

During the opening ceremony, Chuxia Deng, dean of the FHS, gave a speech on global health issues, with a focus on the rising prominence of cancer as a leading cause of death and the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasised the relevance of these issues to biomedical sciences and encouraged students to absorb new knowledge and develop an interest in biomedical research through activities in the summer camp. Assistant Professor Wa Kam Chang, a scholar born and raised in Macao, shared his academic and research experience with the students. He encouraged the students to set a clear direction for themselves and to work hard. Associate Professor Chuen Wai Poon explained the basics of biomedicine, its applications, and new technologies in the field.

Jeya Verschuren, a Grade 11 student of the International School of Macao, thanks her student mentors for their guidance during the summer camp, adding that the programme in the camp covered many topics and the residential colleges provided an opportunity for participants to make new friends. Ao Wai Hang, a Form 4 student of Saint John De Brito School, says that the most attractive part of the camp was the hands-on experiments, in which the participants would discuss and solve problems in a group, adding that he realised the importance of teamwork in the process. Lei Lek Hang, a Form 5 student of Escola Estrela do Mar, says that he learned the importance of being meticulous in every step of an experiment because even a tiny mistake could affect the precision of the final result. He adds that the activities outside the classroom allowed him to get to know the professors and students in the faculty, as well as other participants in the camp.

Themed ‘Biological Detectives’, the summer camp included lectures, hands-on experiments, visits to campus facilities, and sharing sessions between faculty members and students. Under the guidance of instructors and students in the FHS, participants explored the world of biomedical sciences as ‘detectives’ and learned about biomedical knowledge and research techniques through interactive activities. During the camp, various activities were held at the residential colleges to help participants experience whole-person education and campus life at UM. The camp was sponsored by the Science and Technology Development Fund of Macao SAR.