The Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) at the University of Macau (UM) hosted two sessions of its Health Sciences Summer Camp, drawing over 70 senior high-school students from 36 Macau schools to engage in hands-on biomedical learning and research activities, according to a statement from the public university yesterday.
The first session took place from July 30 to August 1. The second was held from August 6 to 8.
The on-campus camp adopted interactive teaching methods, with FHS faculty and students guiding participants through the latest biomedical knowledge, research skills, and experimental techniques, the statement noted.
At the opening ceremony, Assistant Dean Di Lijun encouraged students to make the most of the camp to develop their interest in health sciences, while Associate Prof. Terence Poon Chuen Wai introduced the faculty’s recent research achievements and explained the fundamentals of biomedical sciences and their applications, according to the public university.
This year’s programme, themed “BIO-Detective”, included topics such as genetic mapping and experimental animal models. The statement added that participants conducted practical experiments, gaining valuable skills in using pipettes, handling sterile samples, and exploring model organisms such as zebrafish*. Students also learnt about cutting-edge research areas, including fluorescent proteins and bioinformatics.
The statement noted that Lui Hong Man, from Colégio Diocesano de São José 6, said that the camp improved her research skills and deepened her understanding of zoology, while Chan Hok Hin, from Pui Ching Middle School, said the programme strengthened his interest in bioinformatics and inspired him to pursue further study in related fields.
FHS has organised summer camps for several consecutive years, offering students a platform to explore biomedical sciences and cultivate their passion for scientific research, the statement concluded.
* Zebrafish are small, striped tropical fish that are commonly used in scientific research to study genetics and human diseases – DeepSeek
This undated handout photo provided by the University of Macau (UM) shows UM Health Sciences Summer Camp participants conducting an on-campus experiment.
