Expanding Horizons and Exploring AI —— The Fourth Macao Forum on Humanities and Social Science Education held Successfully

Macao Base for Primary & Secondary Education in Humanities & Social Sciences and the Centre for Chinese History and Culture (CCHC) of UM held the “The Fourth Macao Forum on Humanities and Social Science Education — Basic Education of Macao in AI Era: Challenges and Revolution” on December 14, 2023 at the Cultural Building (E34) Hall of UM. The Forum aims to provide a platform for educators to discuss issues related to science and technology and education, with a view to broadening their horizons and providing a reference for the application of AI in the basic education of Macao.

Zhu Shoutong, director of the CCHC, first extended a sincere welcome to all the educators. He said the development of AI technology poses great challenges for primary and secondary education and even higher education in the humanities and social sciences. This forum fully integrated reality as well as theory, and specific issues with depth were discussed. The experiences and reflections shared by the participants are also of great significance and value to the development of the Macao education sector.

Zheng JieZhao, principal of the Lou Hau High School said that the current AI technology has influenced the teaching of individualized learning, automation evaluation, courseware production, drawing pictures, intelligent management, students’ learning styles and so on. He also talked about the new change in teacher’s roles as well as the new demand for teacher training in the future, and the possibility of collaboration between teachers and AI.

Chan Kin Pong, principal of Kwong Tai Middle School, introduced the basic situation of higher education and basic education in Macao. He pointed out that education in AI era should focus on cultivating students’ comprehensive capabilities of emotional intelligence, critical thinking ability and creativity. Pay close attention to employment market demands to serve students and maintain the vitality of innovation and creativity in the education sector.

‘The AI era has created new challenges for basic education in Macao, but also provided opportunities for educational revolution.’ said Professor Wang Sihao of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, Faculty of Arts and Humanities (FAH), UM. He maintains that adapting to change, cultivating students’ core competence and safeguarding data privacy are the major problems facing basic education.

Other guests who also attended the forum included Han Xu, principal of Escola Ofical de Seac Pai Van, Hu Yong Xin, vice-principal of Colégio Mateus Ricci, Luo Jianfeng, principal’s assistant and director of Central Services of Pui Ching Middle School, Choi Fengming executive officer of Escola Santa Maria Mazzarello, Zhu Congying,  principal’s assistant of Escola São Paulo, Wong Sam, director of subjects of Yuet Wah College, Chen Jiaxin, director of academic affairs of Escola Fukien, Zhao Qichao, head of the Department of Information of Escola Secundária Pui Va, Zhuang Weixian, head of the division of Information Technology of Escola Secundária Pui Va, Yuan Jiajun, director of Escola Kao Yip, Shen Zhenggang and Zhang Boen, teachers from Pui Ching Middle School, Qiu Yuejin, President of Global News, SIO Chio Ieong Director of Academic Research Division of the CCHC, FAH of UM and so on.