The University of Macau (UM) held an inauguration ceremony for the ninth cohort of UM Reporters and the 11th cohort of PR Student Ambassadors (PRSA). Billy So, vice rector (student affairs) of UM, says that students in the two programmes have acquired different soft skills, enhanced their knowledge, and boosted their competitiveness. Some students say that they have learned new knowledge and improved their learning, communication, leadership, and organisational skills through the programmes.
A total of 69 students in the programmes were inaugurated at the ceremony. In his speech, Prof So said that students in the UM Reporter Programme and PRSA Programme acquired leadership, communication, and independent working skills, increased their knowledge outside their disciplines, and boosted their competitiveness in the workplace. In addition, he is pleased to see students in these two programmes fulfill their duties even during the epidemic. During the ceremony, Prof So presented passes and name badges to the new cohort of UM Reporters and PRSAs, respectively, which represents delegating the duty of promoting UM to the students. In addition, Katrina Cheong, director of CO, presented certificates to the Top Ten Outstanding UM Reporters and the Most Active PR Student Ambassadors. During the ceremony, students Lucia Li and Sky Ng shared how they put their knowledge into practice as well as their achievements and personal growth while serving as a UM Reporter and a PRSA, respectively.
John Leung, a newly inaugurated UM Reporter, who is a first-year student in the Department of Mathematics and Cheong Kun Lun College, says he has learned a lot of practical journalistic and photographic skills through the programme, adding that the programme helped him develop self-learning skills, communication skills, and independent working skills. Connie Ren, a newly inaugurated PRSA, who is a third-year student in the Department of English and Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College, says that she has been able to interact with people of different nationalities and backgrounds during the various guided tours, which helped her develop hospitality and presentation skills, as well as her leadership and organisational skills during the preparation of various university events.
Launched by the CO in 2010 and 2012, respectively, the PRSA Programme and the UM Reporter Programme admit students from different departments and disciplines. The UM Reporter Progamme is targeted at students who are interested in developing interview skills, writing skills, and multimedia skills and develops students’ knowledge and practical skills in news reporting through training, workshops, and exchange trips. So far, over 300 students have received training in the programme. The PRSA Programme focuses on development students’ guest reception skills, PR skills, interpersonal skills, and event organisation skills. So far, it has trained over 460 student ambassadors, who have conducted over 1,700 guided tours and received more than 73,000 visitors from around the world.
Guests attending the ceremony include Wang Chuang, dean of the Faculty of Education; Kevin Thompson, master of Moon Chun Memorial College; Lau Yun Tung, master of Chao Kuang Piu College; Janny Leung, master of Choi Kai Yau College; Katrine Wong, interim master of Ma Man Kei and Lo Pak Sam College; Dai Ningyi, assistant dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology; Agnes Lam, director of the Centre for Macau Studies; Wu Jianzhong, librarian of UM; Paul Pang, dean of students; Wang Ruibing, interim director of the Global Affairs Office; Grace Chau, director of the Office of Sports Affairs; as well as other faculty members, staff members, and students.
Source: University of Macau
