For the purpose of strengthening cooperation with renowned universities in China and broadening students’ horizons, Macao Polytechnic Institute (MPI) co-organised three winter student exchange camps with Harbin Institute of Technology and Northeast Forestry University. About 50 MPI students from different programmes participated in these camps and experienced the exotic atmosphere in Harbin.

Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) and Northeast Forestry University (NEFU) are key universities included in the Chinese Government’s “211 Project”. HIT is a leading national university with science and engineering as its core, specialising in astronautics and also including nine national key disciplines. NEFU is a university with Forestry Engineering as its leading characteristic; there are two Experimental Forest Farms under NEFU, namely the Mao’ershan and the Liangshui Experimental Forest Farm. The contents of the three winter camps focused on experiencing the northern scenery and culture, ice activities, facilitating the exchanges among China, Hong Kong and Macao students and learning the knowledge of the technology of small satellites. MPI students attended lectures about small satellites, Harbin history, culture and society development, and experienced ice skating and skiing. In addition, MPI students visited the HIT and NEFU campus, famous landmarks in Harbin, the Harbin Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Exposition and Ice-Snow World.

Participating students think that it was a memorable journey for them to visit the main city of Northeast China, Harbin, and to experience the world of ice and snow. Students have gained different kinds of knowledge in every lecture and visiting activity. Moreover, they treasure the friendships with China and Hong Kong students, and the time of playing ice activities. The MPI Student Affairs Office believes that such exchange camps provide students with the opportunity of understanding the culture and development of interesting cities in China, and students can thus make good use of their holidays, broaden their horizons and enhance their study experience.