Lou Hau High School* hosted a signing ceremony with Macau-based MTel Telecommunication Company Limited on its campus yesterday to cultivate local talent in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital information.
Zheng Jiezhao, principal of the school and chairman of Chinese Educators Association, said in his speech during the ceremony that the cooperation agreement marks an important step forward for the school in technology education and industry-academia collaboration.
Zheng also said that MTel has extensive experience in areas such as network infrastructure and data security, adding that the partnership will provide students in the AI class with “genuine internship opportunities”, allowing them to engage in “real work” at the company, evaluate what they have learnt, and develop their skills.
He expressed hope that the students would treasure the opportunity, adhere to company regulations. He also said that his school was looking forward to deepening cooperation in areas such as curriculum co-development, teacher training, and project-based research. The ultimate goal is to jointly cultivate technology professionals with practical abilities, an innovative spirit, and a sense of commitment to their family and country.
MTel Chairman and CEO Michael Choi Tak Meng said in a speech he hoped the partnership would build a bridge for students to connect theory with practice, adding that the training programme provides eight hours of real on-the-job training, helping to cultivate talent in AI and information management.
He emphasised that talent is the driving force behind industrial development, and that MTel would fully implement the terms of the cooperation to supply new, skilled talent to Macau’s technology sector.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the ceremony, Zheng noted that the first phase of the training will take place during the summer holidays, with a total of 40 students joining internships, completing a total of 400 internship hours over three years.
Zheng said that he hoped that Lou Hau High School will collaborate further with IT companies such as MTel to give students experience in real workplace roles. Zheng also said that his school has already rolled out AI and programming courses across all grades, and is building a smart campus to increase students’ exposure to cutting-edge technology.
* “Lou Hau” is the Cantonese Romanisation of the Chinese characters 勞校, which literally translates to “Labour School” or “Workers’ School.” The school was founded in 1950 by the Macau Federation of Trade Unions, aka Gung Luen. Its official name for seven decades was the Workers’ Children High School. In 2020, the school officially changed its name to Lou Hau High School (勞校中學), turning the long-standing informal name into its official title. Irrespective of its name, it also offers kindergarten, primary, and secondary education. – Gemini
Lou Hau High School Principal Zheng Juezhao speaks to reporters on the sidelines of yesterday’s signing ceremony. – Photo: Armindo Neves
