Two students from the public Macao Polytechnic University (MPU) have secured top honours at the 2026 ASAF Asian Student Arts Festival International Music Competition in Hong Kong early this month, according to a statement by the tertiary education institution yesterday.
Zong Xiaohuan and Cai Shiyi, both majoring in Vocal Performance under the Bachelor of Arts in Music programme at MPU’s Faculty of Arts and Design, were awarded first and third places respectively in the “Classical Vocal Open Group”, the statement noted.
The competition drew more than 3,000 performing arts enthusiasts from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, among other places, the statement said.
Featuring over 30 internationally renowned artistes, according to the statement, the competition provided a platform for participants to exchange and compete across classical, modern, Chinese and Western music and dance forms.
The statement pointed out that the event served as a high-level international arts exchange platform, combining performance opportunities with cultural interaction, adding that the award-winning students said that participating in international competitions and engaging with talented performers from different countries broadened their artistic perspectives’.
They also expressed gratitude to the university and their teachers for their training and guidance, adding that they will continue to refine their skills and represent MPU on the international stage, the statement noted.
According to the statement, its Bachelor of Arts in Music programme is committed to advancing music education and organising diverse activities to provide students with professional development opportunities.
The programme aimed to foster local music culture by creating platforms for students to showcase their talents, the statement said, pointing out that the awards not only recognise the students’ achievements but also highlight the public university’s ongoing efforts to nurture musical talent and strengthen Macau’s presence in international arts exchanges.
This undated handout photo provided by the public Macao Polytechnic University (MPU) yesterday shows students Zong Xiaohuan (left) and Cai Shiyi posing in Hong Kong with their respective certificates during the 2026 ASAF Asian Student Arts Festival International Music Competition early this month.
