Jointly reported by:
Yiap Ning Xuan Sr1ScI
Wong Tze Sin Sr3ScA
In order to let students from Senior Middle One, Two and Three to learn more about the course they want to pursue, the School Counseling Department invited both our alumni, Chan Ren Chern from University of Macau and Ng Kya Chien from Tsinghua University, China to share their university life with their juniors through Zoom video platform on 18th of May (Tuesday), 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm. A total of 89 people attended, including our school teachers, alumni and student reporters.
Chan Ren Chern, formerly from Class Sr3ComA kicked off the sharing session. He graduated in 2019, currently studying at the University of Macau. He mentioned that Macau’s lectures were in English. It is because Macau used to have connections, and was a colony of Portuguese. Learning Portuguese also became a compulsory language for further study. The Macau government acknowledged the importance of education, which spends 1% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on teachers enhancement, facilities and campus construction in Macau. They have created Macau universities with top quality of education.
University of Macau has the largest Residential College System in Asia, each freshman must live in it for the first year. Each dorm apartment can accommodate about 450-500 students, allowing students from different countries to live together, play games, interact with each other, compete against each other and grow together with the other freshman. It helps to bring up one’s responsibility and their caring personality. The Residential College System provides students 16 facilities with easy reach and convenience.
Chan Ren Chern himself is proficient in English, so while choosing universities, one of his university criteria is that medium of lecture must be in English. After some time hunting for university, he finally decided to go for University of Macau. Although there are many friends around, why did he achieve top grades but did not choose an institution with higher academic ranking. Chan Ren Chern responded that the university ranking does not necessarily affect future employment opportunity. He thinks having strong skills and capabilities, individual character, leadership etc. are more important.
Finally, he shared a sentence: “To be transparent or a place where you might have a better chance to shine?” Why choose an environment that you may dislike and suffer from? It is better to choose a platform that you are able to enhance your capabilities most.
Senior Graduate 2019 – Ng Kya Chien, who is now furthering his studies in Tsinghua university shared about his university’s life experience. Tsinghua, being the best university in China, ranked 15th globally.
Kya Chien’s acceptance to Tsinghua University triggered many junior’s curiosity. How did he manage to get himself enrolled? He explained, students first must have both adequate academic credentials, and excel in extra curriculum to gain admission to Tsinghua. In addition, a student’s confidence, social skills and ability to interact with others plays an important and integral part in the admission selection. It is undeniable that results are important to gain Tsinghua’s admission ticket, but Tsinghua values more on an all-rounder student. With the above criteria, Kya Chien went through 2 tough interviews before being part of Tsinghua.
Tsinghua’s education system places high regards on student’s health and integrated development. There are various school communities for students to choose from based on their preferences. PE lessons are also vital to graduate from Tsinghua. There is also a saying that you can’t graduate if you can’t swim.
Having the opportunity to be in Tsinghua’s campus was really a life experience that Kya Chien ever dreamed of. The campus consists of various faculties that are professionally taught by first-class lecturers. A state of the art, world class library is part of the campus to support the student’s needs. There is also a 5000 pax capacity sport stadium coupled with professional trainers for students to excel in the various sport development.
Palace-like library
Sport stadium
The building structures are all complemented with a vast and well-designed landscape. The roads were lined with shady trees and blossoming flowers giving the campus vibrant youth and energy. The walking treks and bicycle lanes equally well landscapes was part of the campus transportation system and for leisure purposes.
Tsinghua Lu