The Centre for International Cooperation in Education (CICE MACAU) hosted the Individual Category Semi-Final and Tech Team Category Final of the 5th National Youth English Proficiency Show at the Hengqin Culture & Art Complex on Saturday and Sunday.
According to Micaela de Senna Fernandes, one of the CICE MACAU founders, who told the Post on the sidelines of Sunday’s contest that the Tech Team Category aimed to enable students to recount the historical traditions of Chinese cities whilst showcasing contemporary creativity, demonstrating a seamless link between culture and technology.
Senna Fernandes noted that CICE MACAU hopes that students’ video clips in the “SHINE LIKE STARS National Education E-Book” will be used by teachers in classrooms to spark discussions, encourage students to talk about their own experiences and explore how traditions differ from city to city. She expressed hope that it would become a lasting classroom resource to deepen students’ understanding of their shared cultural heritage and diversity while strengthening their sense of identity. Looking ahead, the organisers plan to enable winners to travel internationally to tell their stories. The ultimate goal, Senna Fernandes added, is to build a global platform where Chinese youths worldwide can gather to make their voices heard.
Speaking to the Post on the sidelines of the contest, three tech teams from local schools showcased innovative concepts designed to enhance quality of life in Macau.
Elvis Lou Cheok Kuan and Jason Cheong Chi Hang from Chan Sui Ki Perpetual Help College designed a reward-based walking app to encourage eco-friendly travel among tourists and stimulate the local neighbourhood economy.
Maires Máximo do Rosário and Kyle Chu Tsz Wang from Pui Va Middle School of Macau developed “Food Guardian AI”, a smart refrigerator system that tracks expiry dates to combat food waste. The project utilises artificial intelligence (AI) to reflect traditional Chinese values of diligence and thrift.
Meanwhile, Nicole Pak Kam Hei and Koko Wong Ka Chon from Saint Paul School created an app to boost urban cultural tourism, drawing on Macau’s visitor flow management alongside the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals for Health and Sustainable Cities (SDG 3 and SDG 11).
During their presentations, the students used QR codes, Near Field Communication (NFC) tags, and relatable real-world examples to help the jury grasp their core concepts. The participants expressed a shared conviction that young people should actively embrace technology and culture to support smart city development and effectively tell China’s story on the world stage.
Competition judge Herbert Ramos underlined that adaptability was the key quality assessed during the semi-finals’ on-the-spot design task – specifically, students’ ability to transform unfamiliar materials into clear and creative ideas, and articulate them meaningfully in English. He emphasised that the event sought to foster independent thinking and genuine connection rather than rote recitation. For the finals’ 30-second impromptu segment, Ramos noted he wanted to see contestants listen attentively, evaluate their peers’ strengths, or respectfully offer differing views to demonstrate critical thinking through constructive exchange.
2 individual category contestants speak to the Post
Makayla Wong, a Grade 5 student at Escola Secundária Luso-Chinesa de Luís Gonzaga Gomes, based her project on the ancient A-Ma Temple and the Macao SAR Government Headquarters to highlight the city’s unique blend of East and West.
Having thoroughly prepared her project across five research topics with her parents, Wong said that should she reach the grand finals, she hopes to complement her English presentation with a performance of Chinese swordplay or a classical Chinese piece on the violin.
Huang Linxin from Guangzhou Hawk School told the Post that as a teenager, telling her hometown stories in English on Macau’s international stage is meaningful. English is a bridge to share our culture with others, Huang said, adding that preparing her speech helps her learn more about her hometown and love it more.
“Macau blends Eastern and Western cultures, and I can be a young cultural messenger, showing my hometown’s beauty to the world. This makes me braver, more confident, and proud to tell warm Chinese stories”, according to Huang.
Danny Chan Ho Ki, president of the Mutual Progress Association Tong Tou, a supporting organisation, said this ongoing initiative aims to be a bridge between the youths from Macau and the Chinese mainland, broadening their horizons and cultivating international vision. Chan noted that by combining English fluency, national awareness, and technological innovation, the competition empowers youths to share China’s narrative globally while building cultural confidence and interdisciplinary problem-solving skills.
Pui Va Middle School of Macau STEAM* panel head teacher Zhao Qi Chao and English panel head teacher Monica Yang Huan expressed pride in their students’ performance following months of refinement on their smart refrigerator project, which was developed through cross-curricular learning between the STEAM and English subjects, and over a month of presentation rehearsals. They also thanked the school for its steadfast backing.
Pui Ching Middle School (Coloane Campus) English teacher Winnie Liu Yingyu praised her students after they secured three awards. She attributed their success to persuasive English expression, innovative thinking, and cross-disciplinary guidance that links technology to practical business applications.
*STEAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics. – Gemini
Centre for International Cooperation in Education (CICE MACAU) founder Micaela de Senna Fernandes (third from right), Mutual Progress Association Tong Tou President Danny Chan Ho Ki (left), and other representatives pose during Sunday’s contest’s launch ceremony at Hengqin Culture & Art Complex.– Photos courtesy of the group.
Mutual Progress Association Tong Tou President Danny Chan Ho Ki speaks to the Post on the sidelines on Sunday’s contest.
Pui Va Middle School students (fourth and third from left), Saint Paul School students (fourth and third from right), Chan Sui Ki Perpetual Help College students (both on the left), and Hou Kong Middle School students pose for group photo on the sidelines of Sunday’s contest.
Escola Secundária Luso-Chinesa de Luís Gonzaga Gomes student Makayla Wong give a speech at Sunday’s competition.
Micaela de Senna Fernandes (third from right), Pui Va Middle School English panel head teacher Monica Yang Huan (third from left), and students including Maires Máximo do Rosário (second from right) and Kyle Chu Tsz Wang (second from left) pose on the sidelines of Sunday’s contest Sunday’s contest.
Teachers and students from St Joseph Diocesan College 5 (CDSJ5), Pui Va Middle School and Hou Kong Middle School pose on the sidelines of Saturday’s contest.
Pui Ching Middle School (Coloane Campus) English teacher Winnie Liu Yingyu (second from left) poses with teachers and students from the school on the sidelines of Sunday’s contest.
