The Eighth Educational Forum on Modern Residential College System was held from 6 July to 9 July 2023 at Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology. This year’s forum brought together 410 experts from 62 universities in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, including Peking University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the University of Macau (UM), and Taiwan Tsing Hua University, as well as various research institutes and enterprises. During the forum, the participants explored how universities can nurture talent through a modern residential college system.

Four students and faculty from Choi Kai Yau College (CKYC) of UM attended the forum to discuss talent cultivation within the context of the modern residential college system in universities. The research paper titled ‘A Study on the Development of Service Leadership and Creativity of College Student Leaders: A Case Study of Choi Kai Yau College, University of Macau’ by Liu Mengwei and Qi Yaning, and the research paper titled ‘The Effectiveness of Residential Colleges in University of Macau: Analysis of Teacher-Student Relationships, Well-being, and Self-esteem’ by Cheung Pui Man and Wu Chi Chong were included in the forum proceedings and received the Outstanding Paper Awards. These two studies provide compelling evidence of the positive influence of residential college education on students in general, and showcase the favourable outcomes associated with residential college education at UM. Liu Mengwei and Cheung Pui Man delivered a presentation during the sub-forum respectively, and engaged in in-depth discussions and exchanges on the evaluation of the effectiveness of residential college education, as well as the student support provided by the colleges.

The four representatives from CKYC also participated in a series of activities during the forum. These included attending a seminar on residential college education and a high-table dinner, visiting an exhibition showcasing achievements in the development of modern residential colleges, and visiting universities in Shenzhen. At the high-table dinner, Liu Mengwei took part in the chorus of ‘Song of the Seven Sons’ and ‘My Motherland and I’ on behalf of UM. The forum provided a platform for members of residential colleges from around the world to make friends, exchange ideas, and engage in reflections on the future development of residential college education.