Macao Polytechnic Institute Student Union organised two cultural exchanges to Yunnan and Shaoguan with universities in Mainland China during the Christmas holiday in 2016. In order to widen students’ horizons and deepen their understanding of the national condition in China, more than 60 students from different majors went on a week-long handicraft and cultural tour in Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, and another week-long Lingnan culture and service tour in Shaoguan University.

Through the lectures from Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, MPI students learnt the economic and social development of the special minority area in Yunnan. In addition, they experienced the great culture and hospitality of Yunnan through the site visits and the interactive discussion with the local students. They also attended special handicraft workshops including learning the skills of the tea ceremony, iron making, wooden carving, as well as porcelain and pottery production.
 

Students visited the Yunnan University of Finance and Economics

Students experienced the lifestyle of the minority group in Yunnan

To cultivate students' sense of social responsibility, MPI students took part in the Lingnan culture and service tour in northern Guangdong. Aside from the cultural exchange with the students from Shaoguan University and Hong Kong Polytechnic University, they visited different historical sites of the world natural heritage, understanding the history and geographic features of northern Guangdong. Furthermore, students expressed that the most wonderful experience was the voluntary teaching service. They realized the extreme needs, difficulties and learning situation of the primary school children in the remote mountain area, and they described the trip as amazing and meaningful in general.

The MPI Student Union, which organised these two worthwhile tours, commented that patriotism is the core value of Macao, and MPI has attached great importance to patriotism education, training students to take the responsibility and mission of the "One country, two systems" policy. Through the exchange tours, students have strengthened their communication and relationship with the universities in China, and deepened their feelings of national pride, patriotism and love.
 

Students visits Shaoguan University for the voluntary teaching service

Students visited the historical site in Shaoguan