At the University of Macau (UM), one can easily find students, teachers and staff who are always ready to lend a helping hand and provide valuable guidance. Their acts of kindness and inspiring words serve as a source of great encouragement for students as they navigate their academic journeys at the university. In this My UM article, we delve into the stories of several students who have encountered these extraordinary individuals at UM. These students share the inspiration they have gained from these remarkable UM members. 
The caring fellow student
Every year, many international students attend UM. When studying in a new environment, it is inevitable to encounter new challenges, and during such times, the support of friends is invaluable. Rita Tiwaa Nyamekye, a first-year master’s student in International Relations and Public Policy from Ghana, West Africa, initially hesitated to open up and express her feelings to others due to the unfamiliar environment at UM. However, the situation changed when she met Raya, a fellow student from the Philippines.
Raya genuinely cares about Rita. For example, Raya always checks on Rita and shares class notes with her. In addition, Raya has introduced Rita to her circle of friends in Macao. As the two students spent more time together, Rita gradually let go of the stereotypes that had occupied her mind—the fear of discrimination based on her skin colour. As she settled into her life at UM, she realised that both faculty and students were friendly and embraced multiculturalism. As a result, her fears were dispelled.
Expressing her appreciation, Rita said, ‘Raya has been like a guiding thread that leads me towards light and breaks down barriers between people. Last month, Raya took me out to celebrate my birthday in Macao with a group of new friends. It was my first birthday in Macao. I am thankful for that experience.’
The conscientious language instructor
English is the primary medium of instruction at UM. However, for students who attended a Chinese secondary school, adapting to an English learning environment can be challenging. Therefore, English instructors play a crucial role in assisting students with this adaptation. Hu Jingwei, a first-year student in the Faculty of Business Administration, formerly studied in a Chinese-medium school and initially faced challenges in effectively communicating in an academic environment in English. However, after attending Dr Manuel Noronha’s English classes, Hu noticed a significant improvement in her academic English skills.
According to Hu, Dr Noronha asks students ‘How are you?’ every time he enters the classroom. Rather than being a mere routine greeting, Dr Noronha expects students to respond to the question with much more than a simple ‘I’m fine’. He follows up with further questions to initiate discussions on various topics. This approach helps students develop the ability to express themselves effectively in different scenarios. Despite his busy schedule as the associate master of Moon Chun Memorial College, Dr Noronha never neglects his students. Hu provided examples, ‘We often seek his help after class, and he patiently answers our questions. He reads our papers carefully, correcting any inappropriate vocabulary. When our performance is good, he praises us unreservedly. He respects each student’s choices and treats us with genuine care.’
Hu emphasised, ‘In Dr Noronha’s classroom, we can delve into the entire world starting from a single word or topic. It is easy to meet good fellow students, but it can be difficult to find exceptional mentors. Dr Noronha is an example. I believe he is a valuable mentor to many students.’
The humble writing coach
The classroom is not the only place where a student may meet a mentor. Tao Zhaoyu, a first-year student in English Studies, hoped to test her writing skills and submitted an essay to an off-campus essay competition through the Student Affairs Office. To her surprise, she received a phone call the next day from the Dean of Students, Paul Pang, who invited her to meet and discuss how to improve her essay. Tao shared, ‘I had only seen Mr Pang at some events before, and he always appeared serious. However, I discovered that he was approachable and kind.’
Tao described Paul as an invaluable mentor. During their meeting, Paul meticulously read every sentence in her essay, paid careful attention to every detail, and guided her in correcting any errors. It felt as though he was carving a piece of artwork. Tao continued, ‘I was just a novice in his presence, but he was very humble and modest. Moreover, during our two-hour meeting, he generously shared a wealth of advice regarding my studies. Behind his thick glasses, I could sense the wisdom he had gained throughout his life.’
The heart-warming college security guard
It is heartwarming when someone waits for you at the entrance of your residential college, especially when you return late at night after a long day of studying. Qiu Zichen, a second-year student in the Faculty of Education, considers Michael A Pasion, the security guard of Cheong Kun Lun College, as her favourite UM member. Michael can always be found at the college entrance, greeting every ‘homecoming student’ with his warm smile, whether it is a sunny or rainy day. Qiu shared, ‘Whenever I see Michael, I greet him, give him a fist bump, and bid him good night. These are our rituals. And sometimes, we engage in longer conversations.’
At first, Qiu was surprised to know that Michael knew almost every student’s name. However, upon reflection, she realised this was not surprising, because he makes it a point to greet each student every day. Qui continued, ‘Michael is like an elder brother to us. He genuinely cares about where we go, remembers our training and exam days. Yet, he never nags us or blames us for returning late. Instead, he simply says, “Good job, get some rest, good luck in the competition, or good luck in the exams”.’ Qiu noted that sometimes Michael’s hands would feel cold when they exchanged a fist bump on a chilly or rainy day. Despite his cold hands, his smile never failed to fill her with warmth.
Whenever Qiu returns to campus after a long holiday, Michael’s warm smile carries a touch of excitement. He is delighted to see the students. Qiu said, ‘Before meeting Michael, I never realised that a smile could convey so much energy.’
The inspiring academic and life coach
UM’s residential colleges are often where students meet their life coaches. Zhang Jiahe is a second-year student in the Department of Communications. During his first year of study, he met his life coach—Prof Lee Tian Tsung, head of the Department of Communication—at a tea gathering at Ma Man Kei and Lo Pak Sam College. Reflecting on the encounter, Zhang shared, ‘As a first-year student in the department, I was fortunate to be assigned Prof Lee, a renowned scholar and the department head, as my mentor. While I felt excited, I was also worried that Prof Lee would think I was incompetent because of my limited academic knowledge’.
Zhang’s worries were quickly dispelled as he experienced the depth of Prof Lee’s guidance. Zhang still remembers how Prof Lee engaged him in conversation about his hometown, folklore, culture, and the communication discipline when he learned that Zhang was from Inner Mongolia. ‘In just about ten minutes, Prof Lee outlined a disciplinary framework of communication studies by linking the details of everyday life with the knowledge of the discipline. It was truly inspiring,’ Zhang recalled.
Zhang continued, ‘I admire and respect Prof Lee for his erudition and modesty. When I face challenges, he listens to me and analyses the problems from my perspective and background. These conversations are incredibly valuable. As the saying goes, “The teacher can only provide guidance, and one must rely on their own effort in order to genuinely master the skills”. With Prof Lee as my role model, I aspire to achieve even more.’
Text: Kelvin U
English translation: Bess Che
Photos provided by the interviewees 
Source: My UM Issue 132